Dale John DeBlieck, age 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 23rd after two years of cancer treatment. He was surrounded by the love of his immediate family. Dale was born in Tracy, MN on September 21st, 1941 to William and Ethel (Edwards) DeBlieck. In addition to working on the family farm, Dale was active in school activities including Future Farmers of America and choir.
Dale was proud of his service to our country as a military police officer in the U. S. Army in the early 1960s. He loved telling the story of being present when the Russian tanks started rolling in on the first day of construction of the Berlin wall.
After returning home from service, Dale eventually found his way to the lumber industry, including work with Standard Lumber in New Richland, MN, where he met Judith Stafford whom he married on July 18, 1964. Dale and Judy lived in Byron, MN for nearly 30 years where they raised their three children and were active in the community.
Dale started the Byron Building Center with his wife Judy and managed that and other business ventures and served with the Byron Volunteer Fire Department, including several years as Fire Chief. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, traveling numerous times to the western part of the U.S.. Upon retirement, Dale and Judy moved to Colorado in 1994. After building their new home by hand (with the help of many others!), Dale tended to their small herd of beef cattle and hosted many family gatherings at the “ranch” with Judy. Dale was also on the Home Bi-Ed board in Florence CO, helping high schoolers get trade skills while building houses for the community.
In 2005 Dale and Judy bought a lake home in WI where they spent summers and eventually moved to in 2020. The “cabin” will remain a gathering spot for family as well as the many lake friends they made over the years.
Dale was preceded in death by his beloved wife of over 60 years, Judy (Stafford) DeBlieck, his parents, Bill and Ethel DeBlieck, and his siblings, Marvin, Dean, Dennis and Eileen.
He will be sadly missed by his children, Barry (Wanda Hofland) DeBlieck, David (Jeffrey Bleam) DeBlieck and Michelle (Dean) Anderson; grandson, William DeBlieck; siblings, Duane (Brenda) DeBlieck, Don (Cindy) DeBlieck, Julie (Tom) Duncan and Brenda (David) Wright; along with other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Dale on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at the Byron Fire Hall from 1-5 PM.
For those interested in making a memorial donation, please consider honoring Dale’s legacy of having houses built with a donation to Habitat for Humanity: https://habitatminnesota.org/ways-to-give/
Alternatively, consider a donation to the Byron Volunteer Fire Department: https://www.byronmn.com/byronfire
To read more about Dale’s military service in Berlin, here is a link to a feature article in the MN Legionnaire: https://www.rochestermnlegion.org/files/legionnaire0121.pdf
Memories and condolences of Dale may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Miss you dad . . .
Prayers and sympathy to you Michelle and family. Remember your Dad well from the neighborhood and lumbar yard! God’s blessings to you all
Sorry for the loss of Dale. As a friend, at one time competitor of
Our yard in Pine Island, later to be
My customer with Bostitch. We
Joined common concerns for Fire
Depts Dale with Byron, me with P.I.
Dale had my admiration for humor,
Knowledge and respect for others.
A guy i am glad to have called a friend. His life a cornerstone for us all. RIP old friend.
Prayers to Dale’s family from the Bigelow’s. We had many good times on fishing trips with Dale and will not forget him. Business dealings brought him into our lives, but the friendship that emerged was the real deal that we cherished!
Love you brother, you will be missed.
Blessings upon the family as we mourn your loss, but joy knowing we will see you again. DeBliecks legacy goes on through your children & grandson. ❤️
Sending my love and prayers. Dale was such a a wonderful uncle. He made life so fun with his happy spirit and he was always upbeat. All my love to my family.❤️
Sorry to see you move on Chief. You brought the Byron Fire Dept a long way whether it be in training or equipment. Equipment color, LOL, was always a very lively discussion but we usually make it through it. Thoughts and prayers to all. RIP Chief!!