Dale Jerome Wright, 82, of Garnavillo, IA died Friday, October 8, 2021, at the Guttenberg Hospital. He was born August 16, 1939, in McGregor, IA to Owen and Amy (Miller) Wright. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Congregational Church in McGregor. Dale graduated from Garnavillo Community School. He served in the National Guard.
He was united in marriage to Ethel Fradette on August 31, 1963, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Prairie du Chien, WI. Three children, Kevin, Steven and Tanya were born to this union. Dale was a farmer and a lifelong resident of National, IA.
He enjoyed playing cards, fishing and hunting, tractors and trucks, snowmobiling, he was an animal lover and – the animals loved him. He especially enjoyed visiting with and telling stories to family and friends,. He always made everyone he met feel welcomed with his friendly laugh, twinkling eyes and big smile. Some special events that he enjoyed were the Miller Family reunions at Pikes Peak, McGregor, receiving the Iowa Century Farm award at the Iowa State Fair in August of 2021 and he was a faithful Iowa Hawkeye Football fan with son Kevin. Throughout the years he was a member of Giard Future Farmers 4-H club (member and leader), FFA, and the Clayton County Snowbirds – Snowmobile Club.
Survivors include his wife Ethel; his three children, Kevin Wright of Watertown, WI, Steven Wright of Prairie du Chien, WI and Tanya (Jeremy) Caddell of Rochester, MN; grandchildren,
Vanessa and Dominic Wright and Ariana and Noah Caddell; his in-laws; James Paul of Newton, IA, Ned Loetz of St. Charles, MO, Dale Fradette of Prairie du Chien, WI, Gale (Robert) Slane of Wausau, WI, “little brother” Donald (Joanne) Fradette of Holly, MI, and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Margaret Paul and Ann Loetz.
A Private Graveside Service will be held at the National Cemetery, National, IA.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later time.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.