Dale Keith Onken

Dale Keith Onken, age 64, of Carroll, passed away Monday, October 17, 2016 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, October 21, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Robert Wagner officiating. Organist for the service will be Ed Ludwig and the congregation will sing “Lift High the Cross” “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”, and “Beautiful Savior”. Casket bearers will be Dale’s nieces and nephews. Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Lidderdale. Friends may call at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll after 5:00 P.M. on Thursday where there will be a prayer service held at 7:00 P.M. The casket will be moved to Immanuel Lutheran Church at 9:30 A.M. on Friday where visitation will resume until the time of service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com. Born on May 30, 1952 in Carroll, IA, he was the son of Laverdos and Agnes (Helmkamp) Onken. Dale grew up on his family’s farm north of Carroll and attended Immanuel Lutheran School as a boy. He graduated from Carroll High School in 1970 and from Iowa State University in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. Dale worked at Farmer’s Coop in Glidden from 1975 – 2007 as an Agronomist and Custom Applicator. He was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lidderdale where he was baptized on June 15, 1952 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on April 3, 1966. He served as the church treasurer for many years. Dale was passionate about farming and agriculture. Following his father’s death, Dale took over management of the family farm. He enjoyed antique tractors, the Iowa State Cyclones, following his niece’s and nephew’s activities, and videotaping family events. Dale will always be remembered for his positive attitude as he courageously took on diabetes, a kidney transplant, loss of his feet, lymphoma and the gradual loss of his eye sight. Dale is survived by his mother Agnes Onken of Carroll; sister Sharon von Qualen (Ralph) of Carroll; two brothers: Daniel Onken (Cathy) of Carroll, and Duane Onken (Brenda) of Jefferson; and his nieces and nephews: Freida von Qualen of St. Paul, MN, Nathan Onken (Keli) of Cedar Rapids, Rachel O’Polka (Joel) of Lone Tree, IA, Emily von Qualen of Lake Charles, LA, Peter von Qualen (Megan) of New Orleans, LA, Wesley Onken of Sargent Bluff, IA, Abbey Onken of Independence, MO, and Hannah Onken of Jefferson, IA; two great-nieces: Maggie Onken and Cailyn O’Polka; and one great-nephew Kaleb Onken. Dale was preceded in death by a brother David in infancy and his father Laverdos Onken in 1999.