Dale A. Shelley

Dale A. Shelley, 88 year-old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Little Falls, MN. Funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, April 22, 2016 at Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls, MN with Rev. Greg Satterberg officiating. Burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be from 4-7 P.M. on Thurs. at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and from 10-11 A.M. on Friday at Grace Covenant Church. Military rites conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the Little Falls VFW Post #1112. Dale was born on February 19, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to the late Helmer and Mildred (Hugdahl) Shelley. He grew up in Minneapolis, MN where he attended Central High School and graduated with the Class of 1946. After graduation, Dale enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on January 7, 1946 and served part of his enlistment in China. He was honorably discharged on November 4, 1947. Dale was united in marriage to JoAnn E. Brustad on June 5, 1948 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. In 1949, Dale pursued his dream of becoming a funeral director and enrolled at the University of Minnesota and graduated with his mortuary science degree from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL in 1950. After graduation, Dale worked as a funeral director in Arlington, MN and later worked in Minneapolis at the Albin Chapel and Listoe-Wold Funeral Home. In 1958, Dale and JoAnn purchased the Leo M. Thompson Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. Funeral directing was always Dale’s dream and his passion for the business showed through by how he treated people. Dale was a very compassionate person that always went the extra mile for the families he served. After 30 years of owning the Shelley Funeral Chapels, he sold the funeral home to his son Steve, but continued to help for the next 15 years. In his free time, Dale enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time at his cabin on Gull Lake. Dale was a member of Grace Covenant Church in Little Falls; where he served as a deacon for many years, life member of the Little Falls VFW, American Legion, D.A.V; as well as a member of the Morrison County Historical Society, Little Falls Rotary Club, and Sons of Norway. He also served on the Heartland Symphony board, MCBI Radio board, Sister City board, and was president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association in 1973. In the early 90’s Dale did two mission trips to the Jamaican Children’s Orphanage where he brought the good news of Jesus to the children of Jamaica with Gideon Bibles. Dale will forever be remembered for the compassion and kindness he showed to people. Dale is survived by loving wife of 67 years, JoAnn Shelley of Little Falls, MN; daughter, Susan (Nick) Shelley-Brown of Wayzata, MN; sons, Steve (Gwyn) Shelley of Little Falls, MN and Scott (Julie) Shelley of Cambridge, MN; grandchildren, Stephanie (Steve) Lindell, Sarah (Justin) Clark, Eric Shelley, Emily (Kyle) Johnson, Leah (Brett) Anderson and Mark Shelley; and great-grandchildren, Wyatt & Liam Lindell and Ruby Clark. Dale was preceded in death by parents, Helmer C. and Mildred C. Shelley; brother, David Shelley; and sister, Natalie Hagstrom.

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Dale A. Shelley

February 19, 1928 - April 14, 2016