Obituary of Dale Richard Mensen

Dale R. Mensen, 84 of Dyersville passed away Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center, Dyersville, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville where a VFS service will be held at 7 p.m..  Visitation will continue Monday from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2018, in Dyersville at St. Francis Xavier Basilica burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors accorded by the VFW Post #7736 and the American Legion Post # 137.  Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate.

Dale was born May 4, 1934 in Dyersville, the son of Linus “Lee” and Valeria (Krapfl) Mensen.  Dale served in Korea from 1956 to 1958.  He married Wilma Helle on January 24, 1959 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Garnavillo.  Together they were devoted dairy farmers until retiring in 2007.  They enjoyed listening and dancing to polka music throughout the years.  Dale was a supporter of St Francis Basilica and Beckman High School.  Dale valued family and enjoyed participating in gatherings, laughter and the occasional shot of whiskey.  All through the years, with his love of putting together puzzles, each grandchild will now be able to cherish one in his memory.   

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Wilma, children: Lu Ann (Randy) Lansing of New Vienna, Larry (Patti) Mensen of Dyersville, Nancy (Jerry) Marbach of Manchester, Mary Jo (Al) Eike of Hopkinton, Alan (Sue) Mensen of Dyersville, Karen Heiderscheit of Center Point, Keith (Sarah) Mensen of Dyersville, 19 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one on the way, brother-in-law, Loyd Jasper of Dyersville, step mother, Jean (Goerdt) Mensen, of Dyersville, in-laws: Shirley (Leonard) Thein of Garnavillo, Jo Ann (Jerry) Cox of Champaign, IL, Louis (Betty) Helle, David (Leslie) Helle, Joe (Peggy) Helle all of Cedar Rapids, and Wayne (Kathy) Helle of Garnavillo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Joe and Ardella Helle, son-in-law, Ron Heiderscheit, grandson, Owen Heiderscheit, great grandson, Benjamin Brunsman, great-granddaughter Raelynn Marbach received her angel wings June 9, 2018, and a sister, Carol Jasper.

Memorials may be directed to St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Beckman Catholic School and Camp Courageous of Iowa.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Schope, Dr. Iverson and the staff at Grand River Medical Group, the staff of Dyersville Mercy Hospital, Oakcrest Manor and the Good Neighbor Home for the compassionate care given to Dale.