Dale Duits

Dale Olivier Duits of Vining, MN enjoyed his last sunset on May 2nd, 2021 at his favorite spot by the lake.

Dale was born April 19th, 1947 in Orange City, IA to Bert and Wilma (Olivier) Duits. He was raised and attended high school in Rock Valley, IA, then graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.

Dale married Beth (Mary Elizabeth Kniefl) in 1971 and began the Duits family story. He accepted a teaching position in Parkers Prairie, MN and moved his family north to lake country. In 1974, Dale and Beth purchased a farm and built their family home. This is where they raised their four kids, teaching them to be strong and open-minded.

For 35 years he walked the halls of PPHS in his cowboy boots. Dale taught art, math, life lessons, and loved to share the weekly puzzler from NPR's Car Talk.

Dale was a jack of all trades that could fix anything, and the kind of friend willing to help with whatever needed to be done. He loved restoring his ‘65 MG and prized '68 Firebird and wouldn’t stop a project until it was complete.

He loved his wife dearly and preferred to do everything with her. Whether it be watching his grandkids, sitting around the bonfire, driving the tractor for a hayride or enjoying a Bob Dylan tune, Dale was often the one to sit back and take it all in.

Dale didn't slow down in retirement, continuing to run the farm full time. He crossed off tasks during the warm months so he and Beth could enjoy some of the winter exploring Arizona. Most importantly, he loved his time on the water. The lakes are what inspired him to move to Minnesota. His philosophy was “why wouldn't you live where people vacation.” A lifelong dream was achieved when Dale and Beth bought a cabin on Otter Tail Lake to share with their family. He enjoyed the good life swimming, fishing, pontooning, and simply sitting on the dock listening to the waves and watching the sun go down.

His final day was a snapshot of his life. Dale started his Sunday morning on the farm with Beth, drove his Firebird to the cabin, put in a full afternoon of tinkering, and enjoyed his last moments on the bench he built overlooking Otter Tail Lake.  May we all be so lucky.

Dale is survived by his wife, Beth of Newcastle, NE; daughter Sarah (Brad) Morgan and their daughters Kaitlin and Ellie of Dent, MN; son Beau (Jenny) Duits and their children Evie, Gabe, and Mirryn of Bloomington, MN; daughter Jessi (Steve) Schabel and their sons Landon, Erik and Westley of Alexandria, MN; daughter Maria Duits (Paul Koll) of Marion, WI; and sister Vonnie Kessler of Sioux City, IA.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents and brother Terry Duits.

There will be a public visitation to honor and celebrate Dale's life on May 15, 2021 from 10:00 am until noon at the Parkers Prairie City Park. In the event of inclement weather, the visitation will be held at the Prairie Event Center in Parkers Prairie. A private family service will immediately follow the visitation.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com

Dale's Memorial Folder