Dale Kunkle

Dale M. Kunkle, child of God, completed his earthly journey on Thursday, May 16, 2002 at his home at age 58.
Dale was born August 26, 1943 in Wahpeton, ND, the third child of Sylvester (Bud) and Marie (Eisenbeiss) Kunkle. When Dale was a small child he and his family moved to Rosendale.
Dale attended Rosendale schools, graduating in 1962. He then attended North Central Technical School in Wausau, earning an associate degree in Residential Design in 1964. Upon completion of school Dale’s sense of duty and responsibility led him to enlist in the United States Army as a part of the Army Security Agency. Dale served in Massachusetts, Thailand (during the Vietnam War), Florida, and completed his enlistment at the NSA Headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland.
Dale married Marsyl Ferch at Peace Lutheran in Rosendale on February 11, 1967. They moved back to Rosendale following Dale’s military discharge and have lived there ever since.
Dale’s career of 30 years as a Residential Designer included time working at Sterling Custom Homes, Fond du Lac Lumber, Wickes Component Plant, and Stock Lumber, as well as independently for many homeowners. Dale completed the last couple of years of his working life as a custodian for the Rosendale-Brandon School District. Both occupations provided a great deal of satisfaction as an outlet for his love of detail and his creativity.
Dale very willingly gave of his time and energy to the community and his church, believing strongly in volunteerism. He was a former member of the Rosendale Fire Department, serving many years as secretary, the Lions Club, Rosendale Village Board, the local AAL branch, the R-B Players, and his church, Peace Lutheran in Rosendale where he sang in the choir, was a past church council member and treasurer, was a past Sunday School teacher, was a member and past officer of the Men’s Club, had played on the dartball team, and served on many committees. Dale also was the church custodian for 18 years, a job he saw as an opportunity for service. In any spare moments Dale enjoyed woodworking projects, golf, softball, dartball, music, and reading.
Dale is survived by his wife; their two daughters and sons-in-law, who filled him with awe and pride, Ann Kunkle-Jones and Kemp Jones of Viroqua, WI and Susan and Tim Zima of Oshkosh, WI; two grandchildren who were the sunshine of his life, Riley Jones and Sydney Zima; one brother, Donald (Arlice) of Rosendale and one sister, Donna Baker of Waupun; a sister-in-law, Carol (Earl) Floyd of Ripon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Woody Baker; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Joy and Carlton Ferch.
In honoring Dale’s ever-present desire to help others and his love of learning, his brain has been donated to the Harvard Tissue Resource Center in Massachusetts for research.
Heartfelt thanks to the many family and friends who gave so much of themselves to enable Dale to spend the last months of his life in the comfort and familiar surroundings of home. Thanks also to the Hospice Staff for their care, concern, and support.
Funeral service for Dale M. Kunkle will be Monday, May 20, 2002 at 11 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Rosendale with Rev. Charles R. Thompson officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at the Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, and again on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be in the Rosendale Cemetery, Rosendale.

Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, Ripon, is assisting the family.
www.butzinmarchant.com