Dale Emde

Dale Emde, age 82, of Ortonville, MN, died on February 28, 2021, at the Ortonville Area Health Services.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 5, at Peace Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, at Mundwiler Larson Funeral Home in Ortonville, and one hour prior to services on Friday at Peace Lutheran Church in Milbank. Burial at the Odessa Cemetery will be at a later date.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is recommended, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Dale Marlin Emde was born on February 28, 1939, in Appleton, MN, to Willard and Doris (Henneberg) Emde. For his early elementary school years, Dale attended country school. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1958. He married Ardith Koepke on October 6, 1962, in Milbank, SD. Dale was a mechanic all his life. He worked for Trail Chevrolet in Groton, SD, and H&L Motors and 212 Repair in Renville, MN. Dale worked most recently, for many years, for the Big Stone County Highway Department.

Dale was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Milbank. He enjoyed attending Pheasants Forever meetings and fundraisers whenever he could.

Dale enjoyed fishing, hunting, and playing cards with family and friends. He loved dogs, driving his golf cart, and feeding treats to the neighborhood dogs. Dale liked to assemble jig saw puzzles, completing word search puzzles, and he made a point of reading the daily comics and obituaries. He always had time for a good conversation. Most of all, Dale enjoyed yard work and gardening. He was very proud of his yard.  

Dale is survived by his wife, Ardith of Ortonville, MN; daughter, Vicki (David) Nantke of Oakdale, MN; son, Kelly Emde of New Ulm, MN; brother, Steve (Lorraine) Emde of Correll, MN; sisters, Karen (Stephen) Glenn of Owatonna, MN; and Mardi Harder of Longville, MN; sister-in-law, Jeannette Emde of Blooming Prairie, MN; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Emde; and brother-in-law, Dave Harder.