Dale F. Copley

Dale F. Copley, 96 year old resident of rural Randall, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 18, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Long Prairie, MN, with Pastor Matt Stacey officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, north of Little Falls. A Visitation will be held from 4-7 P.M. on Thursday, December 17 at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN, and from 10 to 11 AM Friday at the church. Dale Floyd Copley was born on January 31, 1919 in Meadow, South Dakota to the late Daniel and Tillie (Tepley) Copley. He entered into the United States Army in 1942. Dale served overseas in Europe, helping liberate the people from concentration camps in Germany and Austria. While stationed at Colorado Springs, Colorado, Dale was united in marriage to Clara Ann Kendrick on December 24, 1943 at a Presbyterian Church. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, the couple purchased the family farm in Parker Township, near Randall. They operated the dairy farm until retiring in 1984. During the 1950’s Dale worked for Consolidated Telephone. He also operated a saw mill. After retiring, Dale kept busy and took on many hobbies, such as woodworking, wood carving, and various crafts including painting and making pot holders. During the winter months, Dale and Clara traveled south with their camper. He enjoyed fishing, camping, and keeping a vegetable garden. He was a member of Randall VFW # 9073 and attended First Baptist Church in Long Prairie. Dale is survived by his children, Rev. Kenneth (Elizabeth) Copley of Fishers, IN; Barbara Copley of Randall, MN; and Craig (Jodi) Copley of Petuluma, CA; sisters Jeanette Schwanke of Little Falls, MN, Mildred (DeWayne) Schwanke of Cushing, MN, and Betty Bigalke of Little Falls, MN; 11 grandchildren Daniel, Rachel, Sara, Ruth, Hannah, John, Lydia, Esther, Tara, Michael, and Allison and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Tillie Copley; wife, Clara; and sister, Geneva Venske

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Dale F. Copley

January 31, 1919 - December 12, 2015