Dale H. Pretzer, Sr., 82, Carrington, died Aug. 14, 2012, at the Carrington Health Center after a brief hospitalization.
Dale Harold Pretzer was born Jan. 1, 1930, in Velva, to Sidney and Esther (Olson) Pretzer. He grew up in Velva and enjoyed outdoor activities during his boyhood, especially hunting and fishing. After graduation from Velva High School, Dale joined the Navy in 1948, serving his country during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1952, he attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, earning a two-year Drafting and Estimating Trade degree. In 1954, Dale began employment at Patterson Lumber in Rugby as a draftsman/estimator.
He married Inez Marie Shaw in 1955, and then moved his family to Carrington in 1958, where he was employed by Schulz Lumber as a draftsman/estimator.
After Dale's first wife's passing, Dale met and married Dorothy Mae (Duursma) Rafferty, a widow with two girls and one boy, who with Dale's three boys, formed a new family with six children that were five years old and younger. They were then blessed with another three children over the next eight years. Both Dale and Dorothy were firm believers in enjoying family time together and ensured that family events and outings were a common occurrence. He and Dorothy always had a big garden, which was a great source of relaxation for Dale, even in his later years.
Dale began employment with Cash & Carry Lumber in New Rockford in 1991, after accepting an offer to help found and establish that business where he initially worked as a full-time draftsman/estimator, salesman, and bookkeeper. After Dorothy's passing in 2000, Dale began easing into part-time status at the lumberyard and finally retired completely in 2010 at age 80.
In his later years, Dale remained an ardent hunter and fisherman. He was also a lifelong card player, which he passed on to most of his children, and which kept him socially active with his friends in Carrington. Dale also enjoyed an occasional casino trip.
Dale is survived by: three daughters, Vickie (Dennis) Quast, Dos Palos, Calif., Joanne Helfrich, Carrington, and Roxanne Pretzer, El Paso, Texas; five sons, Greg (Diane) Pretzer, of Madison, Ala., Rickie (Becky) Pretzer, Carrington, Scott Pretzer, Fort Pierre, S.D., Dale "Buddy"(Greta) Pretzer Jr., Bakersfield, Calif., and the Rev. Michael (Alecia) Pretzer, Rugby; and one sister, Lois Effertz, Minot. Dale had 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Inez; his second wife, Dorothy; and his son, David.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck and Carrington Health Center, Carrington, for their compassionate care, and also the many friends who stopped by to wish Dale well during his final days.
Funeral: Friday, Aug. 17, at 3:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.
Burial: Carrington Cemetery.
Visitation: Today, Aug. 16, from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, and Friday, one hour before the funeral service, at the church.
Prayer Service: Today at 7 p.m. in Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.
Online condolences may be sent at (www.EvansFuneralHomeND.com).