Cover photo for Dale Wright's Obituary
Dale Wright Profile Photo
1928 Dale 2017

Dale Wright

April 23, 1928 — December 29, 2017

Dale E. Wright, age 89, of New London, died Friday evening, Dec. 29, at Bethesda Grand Nursing Home in Willmar.


Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, at the Cross Roads Community United Methodist Church in Spicer. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar with military honors provided by the New London American Legion Post. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Cross Roads Community United Methodist Church are preferred. www.petersonbrothers.com


Dale Eugene Wright was born on April 23, 1928, in Spencer, Iowa, the son of Burr and Gladys (Root) Wright. He grew up and received his education in Terril, Iowa. Following his high school graduation, Dale immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard 3 different destroyers in the Atlantic Ocean. From 1948 to 1952, he attended the University of Iowa and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. From 1952 to 1958, he worked in Omaha, NE., as a production manager in industry and as an accountant with a construction company. From 1958 to 1959, he continued his education at the University of Iowa and completed work for his business education degree, obtained his teaching certification and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. On October 4, 1959, Dale was united in marriage to Jo Ann Petersen in Clinton, IA. From 1959 to 1961, Dale worked at Goose Lake High School in Goose Lake, IA as a business teacher and acting principal. During the summer months of 1959 to 1961, he began graduate study at Bemidji State University. From 1961 to 1962, he was the business teacher and chairman of the business department at Knoxville Public Schools in Knoxville, IL. From 1963 to 1964, Dale taught psychology and accounting and was a part-time counselor at the Hallock and Humboldt High Schools in NW Minnesota. In 1964, Dale graduated with a Master of Science in Education and Guidance Counseling from Bemidji State University. Later that year Dale and Jo Ann moved to Willmar where he accepted a position at the Willmar Community College as a counselor and part-time psychology instructor. In 1965, he became the Foreign Student Advisor and the Director of Admissions in addition to being a counselor at the Willmar Community College. In 1989, Dale retired after more than 25 years of employment at the Willmar Community College. Dale was proud of his Scottish heritage. He was a member of the Mackenzie Society of the Americas and enjoyed attending numerous Scottish Fairs at Macalester College. Dale was a member of the Tin Can Sailors and attended annual reunions of former crew members of the destroyer U.S.S. Kenneth D. Bailey. He was a former member of the Willmar Methodist Church, Willmar Kiwanis Club and the Circle K Club. He was a current member of Crossroads Community United Methodist Church and the New London American Legion Post. Dale was known for his sense of humor and generosity in helping others. His hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing, trapping and spending time at the cabin on Lake of the Woods.


He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Wright of New London; two children, Debra (and Kevin) Bronner of Kandiyohi and Russell Wright (and special friend, Patty Klabo) of New London and two grandchildren, Alex Wright of New London and Janessa Wright of St. Cloud and their mother, Shari Wright of St. Cloud. Also surviving are two brothers, Don Wright of Topeka, KS., and Keith (and Marian) Wright of Springfield, IL.; one sister, Gloria Fudoli of Oak Park, IL.; one sister-in-law, Catherine Wright of Powhatan, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews, besides other relatives and friends.


He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bruce and one sister, Margaret Berger.



Cemetery Details

Fairview Cemetery
Gorton Avenue NW
Willmar, MN, 56201

Visitation

JAN 4. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Peterson Brothers Funeral Home

700 Becker Avenue Southwest

Willmar, MN, US, 56201

Visitation

JAN 5. 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM

Cross Roads Community Church

3400 113th Avenue Northeast

Spicer, MN, US, 56288

http://www.crossroadsspicer.com/

Funeral Service

JAN 5. 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM

Cross Roads Community Church

3400 113th Avenue Northeast

Spicer, MN, US, 56288

http://www.crossroadsspicer.com/

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