Dale Ernest Grahlman, son of Ernest J. and Ada O’Connell Grahlman, was born March 7, 1930, at Fredericksburg, Iowa. He graduated from Fredericksburg High School in 1948, and shortly thereafter moved with his family to California. He joined the U.S. navy and served off the Korean coast during the war.

            On August 30, 1952, he was united in marriage with Ida-Mae Warren in California. Seven children were born to this union. They later divorced. On December 26, 1979, Dale was married to Marilyn Pett at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. Dale was a devoted employee of John Deere & Company in Waterloo for twenty-five years and also farmed for many years in the Fredericksburg/Tripoli area.  

            A resident of Ravenwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Waterloo since November of 2011, his death occurred there on Friday, April 6, 2012, from kidney failure. He was eighty-two years old and was a member of Faith United Church of Christ, Brandenburg-Krueger Post #4013, and Maple Hills Country Club, all in Tripoli. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, fishing, playing cards, gardening, and traveling, which included spending many winters in Arizona. His most enjoyable time, however, was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

            Dale is survived by five children, Michael A. (Mary Faith) Grahlman of Macon, Missouri, Carolyn (Lester) Ohrt of Sumner, Cherly (Ralph) Ackerman of Waterloo, Duane Grahlman of North Liberty, and Diane (Gordon) Nelson of McHenry, Illinois; twenty-three grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren; and one sister, Ferne Lynch of Bullhead City, Arizona.

            He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn on November 3, 2004; two sons, Charles in 1971, and Jay in 2003; one granddaughter, Jaymie in 2003; his parents; two brothers in infancy, Thomas and Edward, and a brother, Darol.

            Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 10, 2012, at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli, with Rev. Marilyn Sargent officiating. Inurnment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg with military rites provided by Brandenburg-Krueger Post #4013, V.F.W. of Tripoli. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday, April 9, 2012, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour before services at the church on Tuesday. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Faith United Church of Christ or Brandenburg-Krueger Post #4013, V.F.W., both in Tripoli.