Dale D. Knowlton, 94, of Austin, Minnesota, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin.

Dale Darwin Knowlton was born Oct. 2, 1922, in Luverne, Minnesota, the son of Grant and Ada (Dysart) Knowlton.  He attended school in Luverne before entering the United States Army in 1941, serving during World War II. He returned to Minnesota where he began working at Gambles Clothing. On Nov. 8, 1947, he married Shirley Eitreim at Palisades Lutheran Church near Luverne. The couple moved to Austin in 1957, where Dale worked as a salesman with Jacobsen Buick and later, Dibbles Buick Pontiac. He later owned and operated Knowlton Realty. Dale enjoyed playing (and winning!) at snooker, and was a very talented crafter and painter. He loved to walk, and was great dancer. After retirement Dale enjoyed many bus trips, and loved his travels to many destinations, especially Hawaii. He was a huge sports fan and collector of sports memorabilia, especially the Twins, Vikings, and Gophers. He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served on the church council; a lifetime member of VFW Post 1216 and a past member of the Mower County Senior Citizen Center.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Knowlton, of Austin; children, Jill (Steve) Johnson of The Villages, Florida, Steven (Brenda) Knowlton of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Susan (Bradley) Bednar of Austin; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, at Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with Intern Pastor Erin Coutts officiating. Interment with military honors by VFW Post 1216 will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday prior to services at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.