Dale Verdon Wiste, 76, of Austin, Minn, passed from his earthly home, Dec. 6, 2012, and entered into the loving arms of his Savior. His family is grateful that he is celebrating Christmas in his new heavenly home.

Dale was one of eight children born to the late Arnold and Bernice (Erickson) Wiste of Spring Grove, Minn. As a young man, he moved to Austin, and on April 14, 1956, was united in marriage to Joan Sabanish. Together they raised four children, providing them with a solid and loving family foundation. On June 16, 1983, he married Bonnie Opsahl. As a strong, dedicated Norwegian man, Dale took pride in his work. He was employed at Concrete Units, Weyerhauser and Hormel, where he retired in 1985. Having grown up on a farm, Dale followed his passion by purchasing a hog farm and returned to country living.

Throughout his life, Dale had a deep appreciation for music and enjoyed camping and bluegrass festivals. His family will always remember his beautiful voice. After his retirement, he gained great satisfaction in serving his church. He enjoyed his nearly daily trips to the Salvation Army, where he developed a kinship with the people he met and found many unique items his grandchildren treasured and fondly reminisce about to this day. His passion for animals, especially dogs, led him to volunteer at the Austin Humane Society, where he rescued a few faithful companions who provided him with many years of enjoyment. Time spent with Dale was always entertaining; his sense of humor was something he was known for, and conversations at his home were typically met with his famous iced tea and homemade donuts. Despite the challenges of Alzheimer’s, Dale touched the lives of many people with his smile and maintained his trademark sense of wit and humor all the way to his peaceful passing.

His passing is mourned by his wife, Bonnie of Austin; former wife and mother of his four children, Joan (Wayne) Skov of Lyle, Minn.; children, Roger Wiste of Ninilchik, Alaska, Renae (Dayle) Goskesen of Austin, Raymond (Lilly) Wiste of Plainview, Minn., Rhonda (John) DeVries of Austin; stepdaughters, Cheryl (James) Jensen of Austin; Linda Holtan of Austin; Carrie (Harry) Kosuge of Glenville, Minn.; Pam (Larry) McAlister of Austin; Kathy (Greg) Hulst of Waltham, Minn.; 20 grandchildren, Megan (John) Rodriquez of Tulsa, Okla., Lyndsey (Jason) Johnson of Austin, Elizabeth Goskesen of Austin, Morgan Wiste (Josh Finne) of Plainview, Leah (Jordan) Ferch of Austin, Logan (Briana) Goskesen of Austin, Leah (Eduardo) Arteaga of Hugo, Minn., Wesley (Deana Kosuge) of Woodbury, Minn. Brody Jensen of Austin, April Kosuge of Madison, Wis., Briana Jensen of Austin, Tara (Sean) Arndt of Waltham, Tiffany (Brian) Clemenson of Zumbrota, Justin Hulst of Waltham, Sam Hulst of Waltham, Tami (Nick) Ongoto of Maple Grove, Minn., Michelle (Tom) Christgau of Austin, Derek McAlister of Maple Grove, Minn., Korey (Michelle) Holtan of Rochester, Brandon (Veronica) Holtan of Rochester; 21 great-grandchildren; siblings, Orrin (Marlys) Wiste of Stewartville, Minn., Dorothy Treangen of Waukon, Iowa, Betsy Sand of Spring Grove, Minn., Arnie (Naomi) Wiste of Austin, Lester Vongroven of Spring Grove, Carmona Wiste of Spring Grove; in-laws, Dale (Shirley) Madison of Brownsdale, Minn., Beverly Hanners of Owatonna, Betty (Chet) Daniels of Stewartville, Sandy (Darel) Klingfus of Austin, Barbara Wollenburg of Austin; many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Bernice Wiste; special grandson, Keith Wood; siblings, Arvid Wiste, Ione and Clifford Treangen, Alvina Vongroven; in-laws, George and Catherine Madison, Odell Treangen, Curtis Sand; brother-in-law, Harvey Hanners.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. A time to share memories will be held from 6:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Worlein Funeral Home.

The family prefers memorials to Alzheimers Research or Mower County Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.