In Memory of Dale Strike

Dale W. Strike, of Isanti, MN passed away on March 25, 2022 at his home at the age of 73 years old.  His Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday May 14, 2022, which would have been his 74^th birthday, at Long Lake Lutheran Church.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Military Honors will be provided by his friends from the Isanti VFW Post.

 

 

Dale William Strike resident of Isanti, MN passed away on March 25, 2022 at his home at the age of 73 years old.

Dale was born to Arthur and Judith (Engquist) Strike on May 14, 1948 in Braham, MN.  He spent his beginning years of life at the homestead of the Strike farm and graduated in 1966 from Cambridge High. Dale attended St. Cloud Vo Tech from 1970 to June 1972 completing his diesel mechanic/heavy equipment operator degree.  While he was still in school Dale enlisted in the United States Naval service.  Dale’s active service began in April 1967 where he was an aircraft carrier mechanic aboard the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War before going reserve.  His service ended in May 1971.

January 1, 1970 Dale met Wanda Stadsklev at a dance.  Dale and Wanda were married on June 10, 1972 at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights, MN.  June 12th, they moved out to Oregon for 4 1/2 years before coming back to Minnesota in August 1976.  When they moved back, they got started on building their home on Strike family land completing it in September 1977.  Dale and Wanda would call that home until November 2019 when they had their new home built at the edge of their property.

In February of 1980 Jodi was adopted and Jenni in June 1985.  When the girls attended Heavenly Sunshine Nursery school for preschool, he drove the bus for their field trips.  He was very active in both the girls’ activities.

During Dale’s years of active service within Military organizations and the community he met many accomplishments throughout his life.  Dale became a lifetime member of the VFW in 1978.  Dale was active in the Color Guard from 1990 to the present.  Over that time, he participated in Memorial Day services, many parades, fairs, funerals and other community events.  He was the VFW Post Commander from 1998-2000 then went on to be the MN All-State Commander from 1999-2000.  Dale was active with the Military order of the Cooties and was Seam Squirrel from 2000-2002 and continued to be active to the present.  During Dale’s time with the Cooties, he had the privilege of laying the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 3 times.  This was such an honor for him.  He was Cooties Provost Marshall for 10 years, a member of the Charter Pup tent 99, he was 7^th District blood chairman and post chairman for roughly 25 years, VFW Provost Marshall for approximately 15 years and active with the Poppies.  Dale was also involved with supporting the POW/MIA and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon programs.  He graded roads for Bradford Township and was on the board for about 20 years and was elected township supervisor.  He was also an election judge. Dale liked to volunteer his time at the nursing home by playing games with the residents. He loved to visit with the Veterans.  Dale did pronto pups for community events as well as the important task of placing flags at cemeteries.  He always took at least one grandchild with him while doing this.

Dale and Wanda owned and operated a hay farm from 1978-2013 but started renting out the land upon Dale’s Parkinson’s diagnosis.  In 2014 an auction was held to start downsizing the things Dale collected over the years.

Dale worked at White Motors, and Asbury while living in Oregon.  In Minnesota he worked for Advance United Expressway and Berger Transfer before going to work for Cambridge-Isanti School District 911 in the transportation department as a mechanic and substitute bus driver.  He retired from there in December of 2011.

Dale was a true patriot and loved anything American and military.  He loved hunting, fishing, tractors, threshing shows, demo derbies, rodeos, tractor pulls, jokes, watching game shows, playing cards and dice, collecting things, fish fry’s, and socializing.  He really enjoyed a good conversation.  Most of all he loved spending time with family.  Each one of his grandchildren was so special to him and he was proud of them.

Dale and Wanda loved to travel and had visited all 50 states, taking the girls growing up to many of the states with them.  Dale and Wanda were able to enjoy an Alaskan cruise and Caribbean cruise.

Dale is survived by his wife Wanda of almost 50 years; daughters, Jodi and Jenni (Tyler); grandchildren, Nicolas, Vinny, Dawson, McCoy, Emma and Piper; sisters, Sharon (Lonnie) Shelley and Marlys (Tom) Nelson; nieces and nephews, as well as many other family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Judith Strike; brother, Lyle; nephew, Justin; and niece, Lisa.