Dale Henry Linsenmeyer

1939 - 2024

Dale Henry Linsenmeyer

September 1, 1939 - March 8, 2024

On March 8, 2024, Dale Henry Linsenmeyer, 84 years old, slipped way while sleeping into the presence of his Lord, Jesus Christ with his loved one's present. Dale was born September 1, 1939, at the Mennonite Hospital in Beatrice NE to Henry and Alma (Wiebe) Linsenmeyer. He was raised on the family farm southwest of Beatrice (highway 136 and the Odell RD). In May of 1954 he was baptized and joined the Beatrice Mennonite Church. For eight years he attended rural Headley School District #71 and then graduated from Beatrice High School in 1957. In 1959 he received his draft notice from the Selective Service. Based on his faith convictions he requested and was granted the Conscientious Objector status. From April 1959 until September 1961, he fulfilled his military obligation by serving with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) doing agricultural development work in war-ravished Northern Greece. This experience influenced his decisions for the rest of his life. Upon returning to this country Dale pursued higher education, being awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master's Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Nebraska.

On July 7, 1967, Dale and Kathleen Ann Priebe were united in marriage at the United Church of Christ in Garner IA. In 1968 together they joined MCC 's agricultural development work in Bolivia, South America. Here Dale served as the Country Director for six years. Gretchen and Rodney were born in Santa Cruz. In 1974 Dale and Kathy returned to the family farm where Carla and Jane joined the family. The family participated in the MCC Trainee Exchanged program and during this time young men from seven different countries of the world shared their lives on their farm each one for six months at a time.

Dale's community contributions include: Charter Member of the Nebraska Farm Business Association; in 1980, establishing an executive committee to begin the first Nebraska MCC Relief Sale in Aurora, NE; received the Lincoln Journal Star Honor Farm Family Award in 1988. In 1994 Dale and Kathy joined St. John Lutheran Church in Beatrice where Dale always enjoyed his experiences as a Stephen Minister. Special interests: genealogy, local history, square dancing, traveling in 32+ different foreign counties.

Survived by: wife, Kathy, children and grandchildren: Gretchen (Thomas) Olson, Johnathon (Meraiah Brewster) Olson and Julia Olson, Forest Grove, OR; Rodney (Sharon Buford) Linsenmeyer, Emma, Catherine (Cate), Hannah and Henry, Tulsa, OK; Carla (Matthew) Harvey, Jetta, Josiah, Margee Jane and Andrew, Lincoln NE; and Jane (Brent) Niemeier, rural DeWitt; brother Dean (Rebecca) of Goshen, IN; sister Janice Blosser of Pace, FL; nieces, nephew and friends; preceded in death by his parents, brother Alvin (1960), granddaughter Lauren Lydia Niemeier (2014) and brother-in-law John Blosser (2022).

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 16, 2024 at the First Mennonite Church, R. Beatrice. The service will be Livestreamed by the church on YouTube at FMC Beatrice. Private burial will be held at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. Public visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends from 4-6:00 PM, and not in state at the church. A family prayer service will be held at 1:45 PM Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), First Mennonite Church Immigration Fund, and the YMCA Scholarship Fund with Joe Thimm and Sterling Kohrs in charge.

Dale's life was a beautiful testament to the power of love, kindness, faith, and dedication. We encourage those who knew Dale to leave memories and upload photos to his memorial page to celebrate his life and the impact he had on so many at www.ghchapel.com. All may also view his video tribute and service on his memory page.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.