obit

this is John frank's son in law

Dale Otto Snesrud was born November 5, 1933, in New Prague, Minnesota, to Elliot and Gertrude (Meinke) Snesrud. He was raised on the family farm in Webster, baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, and attended St. John’s Parochial School. He graduated from Northfield High School in 1951 and after his education farmed with his father. He joined the US Army in September 1954 and following his honorable discharge in August 1956, returned to Webster. He married Nancy Marie Frank on September 7, 1957, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Donnelly, Minnesota. After marriage they bought his parents farm and together farmed and raised their family in Webster. In the late 1960's, Dale worked construction along with farming. In 1986, he retired from farming and began working for the National Farmers Organization as a Regional Director - a job he truly valued. In 1994, along with son Kyle, he purchased the Northfield Athletic Club which they renamed Olympus Athletic Club. In 1998, Dale and Nancy sold the farm to their son Loren and moved into Northfield. Dale and Kyle sold the Athletic Club in 2003, although Dale remained active at the Club until recently when his health failed.

Dale had a strong Christian faith and it was personified in the way his lived his life. He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he was very active with the Mission Trips - volunteering his time doing flood relief not only in Minnesota but throughout the country. A former longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, amongst other capacities he served as Congregational Chairman and Elder. Dale was a charter and life member of the Rice County NFO, active with the Salvation Army, and a former president, coach, and active fund raiser with the Webster Baseball Association He was an avid golfer and racquetball player and a heck of a good polka dancer. Even with all the energy he invested in others, his children and grandchildren were his focus. He was loving, playful, generous and kind hearted. He had the ability to put others first without putting the light on himself.

Survivors include his wife 53 years, Nancy; 5 children: Kyle and wife Joey of Farmington, Lance and wife Laurie of Northfield, Loren and wife Galina of Webster, Dawn and husband Bernie Giesen of New Prague, Neal and wife Shannon of Farmington; 10 grandchildren: Elliot, Abbey, Jordan, Scott, Vadym, Maya, Christina, Maddie, Molly and Noelle; one sister and her husband, Marlys and Jim Morin of St. Paul; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson Braydon and his parents.

At the age of 77, Dale passed away Thursday morning, November 18, 2010, at the Reflections~Care Suites on the Three Links Campus in Northfield after a long and valiant battle with cancer.

Funeral service will be 11:30 AM Monday, November 22, 2010, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Revs. Craig Ellingboe and Paul Graham officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. John’s Cemetery at Webster. Casket bearers will be Jeff Stoneburg, Bryan Stoneburg, Mike Bruland, Joe Gerzina, Mitch Heyda and Jeff Anderson. Visitation will be 3-7PM Sunday, November 21, 2010, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue on Monday at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army, Camp Amicon or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.