Dale Allen Onken

Dale Allen Onken was born the second oldest of seven children to Pete and Selma (Ross) Onken on August 7, 1931 in Sibley, Iowa. He was raised on the farm in Iowa. Dale continued to help on the farm following the death of his father which occurred during his ninth grade year of schooling. On September 2, 1952 Dale was united in marriage to Vilys Jean Boom in Webster, South Dakota. Their union was blessed with with six children and 49 years marriage together. Dale served his country in the United States National Guard for six years during the Korean conflict from 1951 – 1956. Following their marriage they lived on a farm northwest of Sibley. In 1954, Dale began working in the construction business. Eventually the family moved to Little Rock, Iowa and later to Phoenix, Arizona. They lived for twenty years before moving to Pipestone, Minnesota in 1996 to make their home. Vilys passed away on June 2, 2001. Dale continued to work as a blade operator until his retirement in 2007. Dale passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at his home at the age of 84 years.

Dale attended Faith Community Church in Pipestone. He enjoyed trips to the Flandreau Casino, sitting outside on nice days and playing pinochle. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dale is lovingly remembered by his six children, Lonnie (Rhonda) Onken of Pipestone, Kathy Onken of Peoria, Arizona, Mark (Aundria) Onken of Pipestone, Todd Onken of Pipestone, Doug Onken of Pipestone, and Robin Meza of Pipestone; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and four siblings, Carol Spiering of Biloxi, Mississippi, Mary Jo Meyer of Phoenix, Arizona, Violet Kramer of Fulda, Minnesota and Julie Maloney of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vilys; parents, Peter and Selma; and two siblings, Avis VanBresen and Johnny Onken.