Passed Away - Dale L. Einspahr

Dale L. Einspahr
January 22, 1925 - May 30, 2010
Odebolt, IA

Visitation Was: 4-8:00 P.M. Thursday, June 03, 2010 at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Odebolt
Mass of Christian Burial Was: 10:30 A.M. Friday, June 04, 2010 at St. Martin's Catholic Church of Odebolt
Vigil Service Was: 5:00 P.M. Thursday, June 03, 2010 at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Odebolt
Interment Was: June 04, 2010 at St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery


Dale Lee “Red” Einspahr, age 85, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2010, at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa. Dale was born on January 22, 1925 in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Ben and Stella (McCrea) Einspahr. The family moved to California when Dale was an infant and lived there for about two years. They then returned to Odebolt, where Red and his brother Dean grew up and attended the Odebolt schools. Red enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1943 while still just a junior in high school. He served his country for three years as an Air Sea Rescuer. Upon being honorably discharged, Red came back to Odebolt and finished his school work in order to graduate from Odebolt High School. Following graduation, Red went to work for his father at the Ford Garage in Odebolt doing the books and servicing vehicles.


Red had taken note of a lovely young Odebolt woman, Joan Duffy, during his school years, but Red left to serve during the war and Joan went to Sioux City in 1943 to study nursing. It wasn’t until Joan began working as a nurse in Carroll that she and Red began dating. Red wasn’t about to let her get away again, and he proposed marriage. On August 7, 1947, he and Joan were united in marriage in Odebolt, and they began their journey of 56 years of happy family life until Joan passed away in 2003. Red and Joan were blessed with four children: Rodney, Ellen, Dean, and Karen.


In 1951, Red and his father-in-law, Walter Duffy, purchased a local insurance interest and thus, Duffy and Einspahr Insurance Company in Odebolt was born. Red—and later Joan—would work in this family company for the next 40 years. Red was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Odebolt, where he was baptized in February of 1983 with his grandson, Jon, and confirmed on April 2, 1990, with his grandson, Jory. He served as a director on Sac County Mutual Telephone Company Board, as well as on the Board of Directors for Sac County Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He was a proud member of the VFW and American Legion in Odebolt. Red and Joan were 50-year members of a supper club composed of couples from the Odebolt area. They greatly enjoyed the fellowship and treasured the friends in this group.


Dale was an avid sportsman who enjoyed many outdoor activities, including hunting and fishing, however trolling for walleyes was at the top of his list of favorites. He also loved attending any sporting event as long as his grandchildren were participating. Red’s family was very important to him, and he cherished all their visits and always had a camera ready for taking pictures. Red will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and treasured grandfather. His caring presence and wonderful sense of humor will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.


Left to cherish his memory are his children: Rodney and wife Joy Einspahr of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Ellen and husband Rommie Maxey of Houston, Texas; Dean Einspahr of Paraguay; Karen and husband Lee Hemer of Odebolt; brother Dr. Dean and wife Ann Einspahr of Appleton, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren: Jory (Susan) Hemer of Odebolt, Jill (Alan) Lange of Winterset, Iowa; Jeana (Jared) Arbegast of Sheffield, Iowa; Jonathan (Rachel) Hemer of Manning, Iowa; Jeremy Hemer of Odebolt; Mark and Jim McGonigle of Houston, Texas; and Dennis, Elizabeth and Ben Einspahr of Elkhorn, Nebraska; nine great-grandchildren: Halle, Zachary and Karter Hemer; Jacquelyn, Jarel, Raegan and Rafe Arbegast; and Alexander and Emmett Hemer. Other survivors include sisters-in-law: Phyllis Gardner and Betty Hansen, both of Odebolt; brothers-in-law: Richard Duffy of Odebolt; Walter (Pat) Duffy of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Ed Smith of Phoenix, Arizona; many nieces and nephews, extended family and a host of friends. Dale was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joan, on July 13, 2003; his parents, Ben and Stella Einspahr; parents-in-law, Walter and Amelia Duffy; sister-in-law Patricia Smith; brothers-in-law Donald Gardner and Robert Hansen; and his great-nephew, Scott Barnes.

Copyright (c)2007-2010 Curtis Bloes All Rights Reserved