Dale Howard Cowell, 80 of Eastman, Wisconsin passed away Friday, November 28, 2025 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Dale was born October 17, 1945, to Howard and Helen (Walker) Cowell in Oelwein, Iowa joining his 3 siblings on their family farm. He enjoyed training horses and working on the farm from a young age. He hauled can milk for the Oelwein Creamery before school during his high school years and was a 1963 graduate of Oelwein High School.
On September 10, 1966, Dale was united in marriage with Judy Brownell at St. Francis of Assisi church in Fayette, Iowa. Three children were born to this union. Dale and Judy bought a farm near Wadena in 1972 and farmed there until 1996. They then moved near Eastman, WI, and farmed until recent health problems. Over the years, Dale enjoyed his driving team of horses, was a member of the American Jersey Cattle Association, The National Holstein Association, a former Buchanan County DHIA Board Member, and a lifelong AMPI member. He enjoyed dancing, antique tractor rides, raising poultry, playing cards, being a prankster, sharing a good joke, his neighbors & friends, teasing his grandchildren, spending time with his family, and especially milking his cows. “If you love what you do, it’s not really work.”
Surviving Dale are his wife of 59 years, Judy Cowell of Eastman, Wisconsin; two daughters, Bonnie (Eric) Andersen of Maquoketa, Iowa and Rebecca (Travis) Kramer of Wauzeka, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren, Grant (Kelsey) Lapke, Madison Lapke, Brooke (Matthew) Clark, William Lapke, Sadie Andersen, Kathryn (Jalen) Berendes, Regan (fiancé, Paxton Swiggum) Kramer, Lucas Kramer and Jacob Kramer; one great-granddaughter, Sutton Lapke; his siblings, Barbara (Don) Stubbs of Garner, Iowa and Tom (Barbara) Cowell of Fairbank, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Jim Snively of Clarion, Iowa, Gary (Janice) Brownell of Maynard, Iowa and Bill (Diane) Brownell of Oelwein, Iowa; sister-in-law, Kay Havenstrite of West Union, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his son, Bryon “Buck” Cowell; parents, Howard and Helen Cowell; sister, Jean Snively; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Dolores & Gene Brownell, and brothers-in-law, Richard Brownell, Gary Moats, Wayne Havenstrite; and his nephew, Mike Snively.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. There will also be a one hour visitation before services at the church on Friday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, December 5, 2025 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Eastman, Wisconsin with Rev. Chinnapen Pelavendran as the officiant.
Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Wadena Cemetery in Wadena, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is assisting the family with services.