A Masonic Service for Dale Eldon Morse was held 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2014 at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson with Mr. Frank Coulter presiding. Funeral service was 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014 at the Rippey United Methodist Church. Rev. Paul Burrow provided words of comfort. Honorary bearers were all Dale’s many friends.
Casket bearers were Michael Borgeson, Robert Borgeson, Alan Borgeson, Dennis Ulrich, Lyle R. Heater and Ned Johnston. Marjorie Vannatta and Kevin Blanshan were the musicians. The hymns chosen were, “He Touched Me” and “In The Garden.” Congregational music was #707 “Hymn Of Promise.” Recorded music was, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” by Brad Paisley. Sharon Ulrich did a reading. Larry Meinecke and Roger Norgren were the ushers. The Army Honor Guard did the flag presentation. Eric Blanshan, Kelsey Blanshan, Ben Ostendorf, Michaela Ostendorf and Madelyn Ostendorf were the cemetery escorts. Dale’s favorite treat of ice cream and cookies was served after the service. Interment took place in the Rippey Cemetery.
Dale Eldon Morse son of Arthur Wilson “Harvey” Morse and Della Clare McClatchey was born February 20, 1928 in Elma, Iowa and died June 20, 2014 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson Iowa at the age of 86. When Dale was 2 weeks old he and his family moved to a farm outside of Rippey. Dale attended school in Rippey and graduated from Rippey High School in 1945. Aside from the military, Rippey had always been his home. Dale entered the Army in January of 1951. He spent 9 months in Korea then was returned to stateside after completing his tour of duty.
On December 12, 1957 Dale and Virgene Lea Cannon were united in marriage in Reverend Toole’s Home in Perry, Iowa. Dale and Virgene were blessed with 3 daughters Delores, Dalene and Diane. They had lost Dalene in a car accident at the age of 17. Dale was a farmer in grain, livestock and custom bailing. He also sold seed corn and baby chicks for some time. Dale enjoyed his family more than anything. He also enjoyed chatting and traveling with friends as well as bus trips after retirement. Dale was an active member of the Rippey United Methodist Church, a 50 year Mason, a long time member of the Rippey Lions club and the American Legion. He had also served 9 years on the East Greene School Board and was on the Board of Directors at Farmers Mutual.
Dale is survived by his wife Virgene Lea Morse; his 2 daughters, Delores (Kevin) Blanshan of Waterloo and Diane (Terry) Ostendorf of Madrid; sisters Margaret Folkmer of Linthicum, Maryland, Evelyn Leidig of Groton, New York and Shirley (Richard) Rasmussen of Lone Rock, Wisconsin; his brother Lyle (Harriet) Morse of Des Moines; five grandchildren. Memorials in his name can be sent to Hastings Funeral Home, in Jefferson.