Dale Fagerlind -- Rochester

Our loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away peacefully at his home in Rochester, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at the age of 88.

Dale Leroy Fagerlind was born on Dec. 3, 1929, to Melvin and Jennie Fagerlind in Iowa City, Iowa. He graduated from Waterloo (Iowa) East High School, where he played football and baseball, in 1949 and served in the U.S. Army from 1950 until 1952.

Dale met his one true love and soul mate, Mary Calvert, in 1955. His sister, Virginia, set them up on a blind date and five months later Dale and Mary were married. They would be celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary on October 30.

Dale and his family moved to Rochester in 1963 and he began his life-long profession as a home builder. In 1975, he founded Fagerlind Construction and worked until he retired at age 75.

He served as president of Rochester Area Builders from 1981 to 1982, and as National Director of Rochester Area Builders from 1982 to 1989. He received Recognition of Distinguished Service as President in 1982, and was honored as an Honorary Member in appreciation for outstanding contributions to the Rochester Area Builders, Inc., in 2003.

Dale is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Ken (Char) Fagerlind of Rochester, Dan (Traci) Fagerlind of Dover, and Tim (Jennifer) Fagerlind of Kasson; daughters, Linda (Dennis) Haakenson of Pine Island, Becky (Dan) Swartz of Rochester, and Pam (Jim) Engels of Owatonna. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Christopher (Kate) Fagerlind, Rochester; Carl Haakenson, Rochester; Kari (Brad) Rain, Pine Island; Kelly (Rodney) Davis, La Crescent; Kerstin (Brandon) Goranson, Mazeppa; Christy Haakenson, Richfield; Brian (Heather Kraling) Donaldson, Rochester; Eric (Erin) Sime, Waseca; Jacob (Chayene Anguita) Sime, Ramstein, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany; Kyle Fagerlind, Dover; and Elizabeth and Eric Fagerlind, Kasson; as well as six step-grandchildren, Carmen (Tim) Kubista, Lakeville; Missy (Jason Feldman) Hendrickson, Rochester; Erick (Christy) Engels, Meridian; Amber (Ted Ireland) Engels, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Katie Tangen, Rochester; and Travis Holmes, Dover.

Dale is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and 15 step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Virginia (Jerry) Holbach of Gilbertville, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carl and Howard Fagerlind; three sisters, Thelma Egner, Ruth Klaus and Edna Mae Fagerlind; and one step-grandson, Alex Engles.

Dale and Mary enjoyed escaping the Minnesota winters and being snowbirds in Texas. Dale was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Rochester and enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with his family. He loved to attend stock car races, in particular to watch many family members race. He also loved fishing trips to Canada, bowling, traveling, camping with family and friends, playing 500, and being able to watch his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

Dale’s family wishes to express its gratitude to Lexi Biedermann, Seasons Hospice and Mayo Clinic’s Palliative Care Homebound Program, for outstanding care and compassion.

Memorials will be divided among local charities.

Visitation will be at noon on Saturday, Aug. 11, at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester. A celebration of Dale’s life will follow, at 1 p.m. Saturday, also at Macken Funeral Home. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens, 1300 Marion Rd. SE, Rochester.

The loved one of our life is now gone, but will never be forgotten or unloved. Rest in Peace, Dear One.