Dale Headington

Tuesday, September 12, 2023 7:02 am

Dale Ardell Headington, 83, from Decorah, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, surrounded by his family at Wellington Place after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the St. Benedict’s Church Cemetery with full military rites.

Following the burial, the family will be having a Celebration of Life Party at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds community building patio. Food and beverages will be provided.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to the family – a donation will be made in memory of Dale to the Decorah Athletic Department.

Dale was born on Nov. 27, 1939, in Decorah, the youngest of four boys to Glen and Anna (Grindeland) Headington. He attended country grade school at Pleasant Township and then Decorah High School, where he lettered in baseball and wrestling. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served four years in the transportation unit driving military generals around Germany and France.

Returning home, he worked for Decorah Builders for three years and then began his long-time career of driving for UPS for 31 years. While at UPS, Dale made lifetime friends with his coworkers and the many households on his route. Once he retired, Dale kept busy by working at Kelly Realty for 15 years and driving school buses for Decorah High School’s sports and activities.

Dale and Sandra (McKernan) Headington were married on Nov. 25, 1961, at St. Benedict Church in Decorah. They were married for 61 years and blessed with two daughters, Linda and Christine.

Dale enjoyed golfing, summers in Northern Minnesota, boating on the Mississippi, years of traveling the world with Sandy and friends, visiting casinos, Barneys and Whippy Dip, and being part owner of the “Silver Dollar” in Decorah. Dale and Sandy visited 49 states and 5 continents together.

Dale is most known for his blue eyes, his fun-loving social life, and a winning smile. Dale’s home was always an open door for his abundantly close friends and family. He loved laughing, good times, and mixing drinks for his friends.

Dale is survived by his wife Sandra (McKernan) Headington; two daughters: Linda (Gordy) Tangen of Decorah and Christine (Tim) Hall of Pella, Iowa; four grandchildren: Robert Root (Gabriel), Kimberly Root Hoffman (Stephen), Lydia Hall, and Kari Tangen (Dalton Rush); six great grandchildren: Reese, Kamryn and Emersyn and Jeffrey, Addison and Kennedy; and four sisters-in-law: Elaine Headington, Bonnie Headington, Joyce Headington, and Jan McKernan.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents Glen and Anna (Grindeland) Headington; his brothers Bill, Bud and Robert; his granddaughter Isabelle Hall; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard & Ruth McKernan, Colleen & Gordon Danielson, Lorraine & Bob Moeller, Tom McKernan, Kathleen & Bud Casey, Dorothy Hagen-Figueroa and Robert McKernan.

Join us at the fairgrounds for lunch and a drink (or two) for Dale!

Everyone should be so blessed to know a “Dale” in their lifetime.