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Dale Erling Lien
1929 - 2025
BORN
1929
DIED
2025
UPCOMING SERVICE
Dale Lien Obituary
October 7, 1929 - October 29, 2025
Federal Way, Washington - In loving memory of Dale Erling Lien, who passed away with family and friends by his side on October 29, 2025 in Federal Way, WA. Dale was born in Elbow Lake, MN on October 7, 1929 to Earl and Polly (Burley) Lien. After spending his childhood in Chehalis, WA and then graduating from Chehalis High School, Dale attended the College of Puget Sound where he met and married his wife of 67 years Pauline Griffith. After serving in the Marine Corp in Miami, FL, Dale and Polly moved to Olympia, WA where they lived for over 60 years raising their three children and becoming a vital part of the Olympia community both personally and professionally.
Dale began his professional career in education as a teacher in Auburn, WA but then spent over three decades in the Olympia School District teaching fourth through eighth grades and administering as a principal at L.P. Brown, Garfield, Roosevelt and Pioneer Elementary Schools. Interspersed with those assignments, Dale spent year long stints as an educator in Hawaii, Germany and England.
Beyond his career, Dale found his greatest joy in the people he loved and the wide network of colleagues and other friends. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His sense of humor, creative thinking and common sense approach to life was appreciated by all who knew him.
Dale was passionate about European sports cars (of which he had many), his beloved dogs, golf, singing and dancing in community theatre musicals, gardening, artistic pursuits in pottery and stained glass, dinner clubs, dance clubs, Bridge, jigsaw puzzles and hosting large New Years Eve parties.
Dale is survived by his brother Paul Lien (Sherry), brother in law Dale Comstock, son Steve Lien (Rhonda), daughters Lori Yonago (Ford) and Sheri Kearsley as well as nine grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Dale's Celebration of Life is Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 11:00 am at Browns Point United Methodist Church in Tacoma, WA. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in memory of Polly.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Dale Lien
Memories and Condolences
for Dale Lien
1 Entry
Craig Foster
November 8, 2025
Condolences to the family. He was my 5th grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary in Olympia and always made our class feel comfortable and interested. I will always feel fortunate to have been his student. RIP
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