Dale Watnemo

Dale Stuart Watnemo, 64, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully Monday afternoon, February 18, 2013, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with his family at his side. Dale had been diagnosed with cancer just three weeks ago. He was born at Fosston, MN on April 22, 1948, one of two sons of the union of Vergil and Mavis (Paulson) Watnemo. Dale grew up in Fosston and was a 1966 graduate of Fosston High School. He began working for the J.R. Simplot Company in Fosston before enlisting in the U.S. Army on November 14, 1967. Dale served with the 4th Division in Korea, and in recognition of his service to his country was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korea. Following his honorable discharge from the Army on November 13, 1970, he returned to Fosston and resumed employment with Simplot. He soon met a young lady by the name of Gail Carmen Johnson, who was waitressing at one of the local restaurants. It was all but love at first sight, and Gail and Dale were united in marriage on July 24, 1976 at Erskine, MN. The couple first made their home in Fosston and over the next several years their marriage would be blessed by the births of two daughters, Tania and Nicky. In 1976, after the closing of Simplot, Dale began working for the American Crystal Sugar Company in Crookston. In 1979 the family moved to Crookston. Very sadly, 13-year old Tania suffered from heart disease and passed away on October 10, 1989. Dale eventually rose to positions within American Crystal as Sugar Warehouse Foreman, and then as Foreman of Safety and Sanitation. After 33 years of dedicated service to Crystal he retired due to ill health on November 1, 2009. Dale was a longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, the BCTGM Union of the AFL-CIO, and Crookston Chapter 14 of the DAV (Disabled American Veterans.) In his younger days he was an avid bowler, and at one time participated in three leagues. He was passionate about fishing, whether in his icehouse or aboard his boat. Gail was his sidekick during these frequent outings, and the competition between the two could best be described as … fierce. Whenever Gail got the best of him, Dale would always say, "I taught you too well!" He was a very loving and protective husband, father, and grandfather, and his memory will be forever treasured by his family and many friends. Grateful to have had Dale in their lives are his beloved wife of 36 years, Gail; daughter and son-in-law, Nicky and Pete Casberg of O'Fallon, IL; granddaughter and grandson, Avery and Leighton Casberg; mother, Mavis Watnemo of Fosston, MN; brother, Larry Watnemo and his wife, Treva, of Fargo, ND; mother-in-law, Carmen Whitten of Camp Verde, AZ; aunt, Ila Torgerson of Fosston; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to his daughter, Tania, Dale was preceded in death by his father, Vergil, who died in 2002; his father-in-law, Reuben Johnson; and many aunts and uncles. May God bless Dale's memory. A memorial service celebrating the life of Dale Stuart Watnemo will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN, with The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation with the family will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Friday from 5-7:00pm, with a 7:00pm prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. Inurnment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston, in the spring.



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, February 22, 2013
Service
Saturday, February 23, 2013

Cemetery Details

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