Dale Stuhr

Dale L. Stuhr, age 86, of Hutchinson, formerly of Willmar, died Wednesday, May 8, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. Military Honors will be provided by Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 10, and one hour prior to the service at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar (www.petersonbrothers.com).

Dale Leonard Stuhr was born July 10, 1926, in Raymond, Minnesota area, the son of Emil and Tilly (Kostka) Stuhr. He grew up in the Roseland area and received his early education. He moved with his family to Olivia in 1935, where he graduated from Olivia High School. He served in the Army during WW II in the European theatre, receiving a Purple Heart medal in 1945 and was discharged in 1946. Dale returned to Minnesota and continued his education at the Minneapolis Technical School and graduated with a degree in refrigeration in 1948. He worked for the city of Olivia from 1949 to 1957. On August 5, 1952, he was married to Olive Mae Empey and they made their home in Olivia until 1957. They moved to Willmar in 1957, opened the Wide Awake Shoe Repair store that he owned and operated until 1985 when he retired due to ill health. He also had a hobby farm where he raised many types of animals and especially exotic birds. Dale was very involved with Kandiyohi County Raceway Association, as a driver for a short time, then flagman for many years, and was inducted into the KRA Speedway Hall of Fame. Dale was very involved with his church, St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Pennock, and served on the church council. He was also a member of the Willmar VFW, American Legion, the Eagle's Club where he had been named Eagle of the Year in 1986, a member of the Town home Association in Willmar and enjoyed his time on bowling leagues. He loved to be with family and friends and enjoyed pull tabs, trips to Breezy Point, traveling and gardening.

He is survived by his daughter, Renee (and Dale) Manderscheid of Hutchinson, two grandchildren; Cody Manderscheid and Terry Manderscheid, and a great-granddaughter; Amarissa Thompson. Also surviving is a brother, Vernon (and Mildred) Stuhr of Olivia, and a sister, Delores Reich of Olivia, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Olive in 2010; five brothers, Wesley Stuhr, Lawrence Stuhr, Stanley Stuhr, Emil Stuhr and Arthur Stuhr; and two sisters, Leona Gray and Dorothy Green.