Dale Sawtelle
February 7, 2010
Dale was born August 6, 1919 in Stanton, Nebraska to Elmer and Izetta (Ferris) Sawtelle. At 2 years of age, he came to Fremont with his family. Dale graduated from Fremont High School in 1938.
He served in the United States Army during the World War II years of 1941, to 1945. He served in the 76th Division, 776th Ordnance Battalion. He entered the war overseas at the Battle of the Bulge and continued through to Berlin. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, and served under General George Patton.
Dale was married on November 18, 1945 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hooper to Wilma Kroeger. On April 14, 1946, he was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont by Rev. Victor Hoffman.
Early in his working years, Dale worked for OP Skaggs, then Nelson Auto Sales. He was employed by Diers Motor Company for 25 years, then went to work in Omaha for Thorndyke Motor Co. in 1963. Later in 1963, he opened Sawtelle Motor Co. in Fremont and operated that until 1989. From 1990 until April of 2002, Dale worked for Fremont Office Equipment.
Dale was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont, having served as the President of that congregation as well as serving in various other offices there. He was also a member of the Lutheran Laymen's League. And he had been a member of the Fremont Optimist Club and the Golden K Kiwanis Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma in October of 2007. He was also preceded by his parents Elmer and Izetta, a grandson Paul Allen Emken, 4 brothers (Ervin, Julius, Rudy, and Clare) and a sister Lila Davidson.
Survivors: daughter - Barbara and husband Allen Emken of Fremont
son - Allen and wife Joan Sawtelle of Fremont
5 granddaughters
11 great grandchildren
sister - Donnabelle Bratton of California
The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Wednesday (Febr. 10th, 2010) at Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Donald Levenhagen officiating. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Military Honors will be rendered by the Fremont Honor Guard of American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Tuesday (Febr. 9th) from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM. Visitation continues Wednesday morning at the church for an hour before the service.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Obituary Provided By:
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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