Arlen "Digger" Dale

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Former Polson resident Arlen George Dale was born on March 21, 1941, in Fertile, Minn., to parents Melvin and Pearl Dale. He was baptized at Evanger Lutheran church. He grew up on the farm in Fertile and graduated in 1959 from Fertile High School. Arlen was united in marriage to Bonnie Espe in Crookston, Minn., in 1970.

He worked in Chicago for a few years before returning home to the farm. He also worked road construction and plowed in telephone cable before getting into the heating/plumbing business.

He lived in Polson from 1988 until 1995.

He worked for Schulz Refrigeration for a couple years and then he went on his own doing business as Dale's Plumbing and Heating.

He returned home to Fertile and the last several years made Mentor his home. He enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, gardening and cooking.

Arlen loved to be with family and friends.

On Friday, Dec. 7, 2007, Arlen died at North County Hospital in Bemidji, after an 11-month battle with cancer at the age of 66.

Survivors include two daughters, Barb (Neil) Peskind of Superior, Colo., Wendy Dale of Roseville, Minn.; two sons, Jon (Melanie) Dale of Iona, Idaho, and Danny (Shelly) Dale of Red Lake Falls, Minn.; three brothers, Rodger (Connie) Dale of The Villages, Fla., J.R. Dale of Fargo, N.D., Charles (Char) Dale of Cottage Grove, Minn.; one sister, Joyce (Lowel) Beghtel of Stockton, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Jon, Chaela, Siera, Mitchell, Alaina, Emily, Nicholas, and Madison. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Pearl Dale. Blessed be his memory.

Funeral services were Dec.13 at the Erikson-Vik Funeral Home in Fertile. Burial was in First Evanger Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile.