Dale Luther, 86, of Merrill passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Merrill First United Methodist Church. Rev Merrill Muller will officiate. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill. Military honors conducted by Oleson – Halweg Post #125. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. followed by a Masonic service. Visitation will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Walter Dale Luther was born on August 4, 1930 in Battle Creek, Iowa, the son of Walter and Viola (Bleasdell)
Luther. He attended grade school in Moville, Iowa until moving to Sheldon, Iowa where he graduated from
Sheldon High School in 1948. He became a private pilot and soloed at the age of 16. Dale’s military service
began with the Iowa National Guard and he was later honorably discharged from the United States Marine
Corps in 1949.

After his service, Dale began a career with Iowa Public Service in Le Mars. Dale and Mavis Willemssen were
united in marriage on October 7, 1951 in Sheldon. In 1962, Dale accepted a position as a gas and electric
serviceman, relocating the family to Merrill, IA. He retired from IPS after 40 years.

Dale was an active member of the Merrill First United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees. He
volunteered with the Merrill Fire and Rescue Department for many years. He was a member of the Sioux City
Landmark Lodge #103, the Sioux City Consistory, the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple, and the Wrecking Crew. He
belonged to the Merrill Lions Club, The B.P.O. Elks in Le Mars, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers (IBEW) and was a Boy Scout Leader with Troop 181 in Merrill where he held various committee positions..

Dale’s hobbies included: collecting coins and stamps, photography, hunting, fishing, and playing cards. Dale
and Mavis spent the last 25 winters in Yuma, Arizona at the Westwind Golf and RV Resort. The family traveled
extensively during the summers, visiting all 50 states, and Europe on several occasions.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 65 years, Mavis of Merrill, IA; a son, Jeff Luther and his wife
Barbara of Enterprise, AL; a daughter, Lori Belding and her fiancé, Bobby Meyer of Sioux City, IA;
grandchildren, Andy (Allison) Luther of Cambridge, MA, Leia (Jon) Heckman of Landenberg, PA, Brent
Belding of Sioux City, IA, and Nicole Belding of Sioux City, IA; great-grandchildren, Aspen and Emma
Belding; a brother, Wayne (Lorraine) Luther of Marshfield, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a great-granddaughter, Gilda Heckman.

Dale’s family wishes to thank Hospice of Siouxland, Floyd Valley Healthcare and Senior Companion, Ray
Bohlke for all of their care and compassion.

The family request donations be directed to the Merrill First United Methodist Church or the Abu Bekr Shrine
Transportation Fund.

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