BOONE, Iowa—Dale Ray Crouse went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 29, 2025. Dale was born July 6, 1935, in Boone, Iowa, the son of Howard and Dorothy (Wood) Crouse. Dale attended BHS and Boone Junior College. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. He served 4 years, 3 of those years in Frankfurt, Germany at Rhine-Main Airport. He married Carol Forster on June 3, 1960, in Boone.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving as Elder and Secretary. He worked for John Deere Des Moines Works for 31 years as an Industrial Electrician. After his retirement he worked for Staff Management as a Safety Specialist for 3 years. He was affiliated with UAW. Later worked for Holiday Inn and Hampton Inn. He and his wife, Carol spent six months of the year in Arizona after his retirement.
Dale was a real “People Person”, and always had a smile on his face. He loved visiting with friends, family, and strangers. His primary passion was engaging in the study of Scripture and haring prayer time with his wife and closest confidant, Carol. He was an Ombudsman at the Evangelical Free Church Home making sure residents had a voice. He later served on the Board of Directors at West Haven. He served at the time of the building program. Dale and Carol enjoyed many trips including visiting many European countries. A highlight featuring a gondola ride in Venice, Italy, and Oberammergau, Germany’s 350th Anniversary. Dale loved playing golf, pinochle, watching Iowa State and Iowa football and basketball.
The Boone County Freedom Flight of October 2015 was a wonderful memory-filled event with fellow veterans. He was a member of the DAV, American Legion, and VFW.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Larry; and sister, Joy Farley and husband Marv; a niece, and a great-niece; in-laws, Clarence and Freda Forster; brothers-in-law, Rodney and Glen Forster.
Dale is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol; sister-in-law, Carol Ann Forster; nephews, Jeff (Mary Beth Scott) Forster and Micheal Forster both of Boone, Steve Forster of Seattle, WA; niece, Brenda (Bo) Hakanson of Grundy Center; nephew, Jim (Sherry) Farley of Bradenton, FL; great-nephews, Gunnar (Grace) Forster of Ankeny and Jaden Hakanson of Grundy Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th Street, Boone or Trinity Lutheran School.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 6, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 712 12th Street, Boone, with Rev. Jessten Heimer officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 AM Friday at the church. A luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. Burial will be at Bass Point Cemetery, Boone, with Military Honors conducted by the Boone Veterans Council.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Dale’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Dale Crouse, 89, Boone, Iowa
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