A devoted husband, father, veteran, and man of faith. A private family celebration will be held at a later date. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm.

Dale was born on December 7, 1934, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, to John and Mamie Class. He was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 2, 1935, in the name of the Triune God and was confirmed in his baptismal faith in April 1949.

Dale spent his childhood in Sleepy Eye with his three siblings. During those years he attended school, worked at the Del Monte canning factory, enjoyed pheasant hunting, and occasionally woke the neighbors with his motorcycle.

Following graduation, Dale enlisted in the United States Air Force in October 1953, serving with the rank of Airman First Class. During his time in service, he was stationed in Turkey and spent time in England, North Africa, Greece, Reno, and New York. While serving his country, he often dreamed of home–of family, friends, and the life waiting for him there. Dale was honorably discharged in September 1957. During his service he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. He cherished the opportunity to serve his country while experiencing many places around the world.

After returning home, Dale met the love of his life, Vercille Havemeier. They were married on July 2, 1958, in Courtland, Minnesota. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work while raising their two children, son Kim and daughter Dawn. Following retirement, they moved to New Ulm, where Dale spent the remainder of his years.

Family meant everything to Dale. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, a joy that reminded him of the warmth and closeness of his own childhood home.

Dale loved music, especially the romantic songs of the 1950s and early 1960s and he was always ready for a slow dance. He and Vercille shared a love of adventure and spent many years camping throughout nearly every state. Their travels also took them to Mexico, China, Central America, Germany, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Dale enjoyed fishing, motorcycle riding, and exploring new places. He was always ready for a game of cribbage, especially if it involved a friendly wager of one dollar.

For the first eighteen winters of their retirement, Dale and Vercille were snowbirds in Arizona, where they made many dear friends. There they enjoyed dancing, golfing, ATV rides in the desert, and exploring the beauty of the Southwest.

Dale was a man of integrity and many talents. The world of “how-to” searches opened new possibilities for him and fueled his lifelong love of tinkering, fixing, and woodworking. He also enjoyed reading, especially history and books about World War II.

Dale often said he had been richly blessed by the Lord, with family, friends, and a full life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Vercille Class; his daughter, Dawn (Jay) Johnson; his son, Kim Allen (Linda) Class; his grandchildren, Dayna (Andrew) Barta, Dustin (Rozaane) Johnson, Phillip (Autumn) Class, and Rachel Class; and his great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Mara, and Charlie Barta; Zoey and Derek Johnson; and Summer, Grace, Mary, and Abigail Class. He is also survived by his sister, Thelma Friton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mamie Class; his sister, Delores Polivany; and his brother, Richard Class.

Dale’s confirmation memory verse was Matthew 24:13:

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

Through the grace first given to him in his baptism and the faith God graciously sustained throughout his life, Dale now rests in the promises of Christ. Having endured in faith, Dale now rests in the arms of his Savior. No more pains, no more sorrows.

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