Dale Champ

Dale Champ, 81, of Elbow Lake, died Sunday, December 8, 2019, at his residence.

Dale Loren Champ was born on March 28, 1938 in Barnesville, MN, the son of Lynn and Gladys (Lamb) Champ.  He graduated from Glyndon High School in 1956.

On April 10, 1956, Dale married his high school sweetheart, Joy Gray.

Dale continued his education at Moorhead State College, graduating in 1960.  After receiving his Bachelor Degree, he was hired as a Teacher/Coach/Athletic Director in East Chain, MN from 1960 – 1965.  In 1965, Dale moved his family to Lake Crystal, MN and taught and coached there for a year.   Dale left the Lake Crystal School District and moved his family in the summer of 1967 to become a Teacher/Coach/Athletic Director at the high school in Elbow Lake, MN.

In 1985 Dale retired from coaching and became Principal as Elbow Lake – Wendell High School consolidated with Barrett High School.  Dale pursued and achieved his Master of Education Degree from North Dakota State University early in his tenure as Principal of Elbow Lake – Wendell – Barrett High School.

In 1992, Dale retired from his job as Principal and left his beloved field of education.  He held a management position with Enviro-Tech International until retiring in 1999.

Dale was active in the First Presbyterian Church, was a member of the Elbow Lake Lions and Jaycees, was president of the Tipsinah Mounds Golf Club for the first 27 years of its existence and helped a great deal in the process of the course’s construction, having been in the “right place at the right time.”  He served on the Elbow Lake City Council from 1985 – 2008 and served as Power Commission Chairman from 2005 to present.

Dale was selected to the Minnesota State Basketball Coaches Hall-of-Fame in 2009 and held a number of positions in the District 21 Coaches Association from 1967-1985.   Forever a coach, Dale did his best to keep track of former players and their families and enjoyed seeing them during local celebrations.  Dale was especially proud of his family and greatly enjoyed the opportunity to watch many of his grandchildren’s events over the years.

He is survived by four children, Kevin (Debbie) of Omaha, NE, Kyle (Lori) of Omaha, NE, Timothy (Laurie) of Boynton Beach, FL and Todd (Jane) of Champlin, MN; nine grandchildren, Sadie (April Fry) Champ, Jennifer (Josh) Schlotfeld, Cole Champ, Kirsten Champ, Ryan (Jenny) Champ, Joshua (Amelia) Champ, Mariah (Matt) Halverson , Jeremiah (Sarah) Champ and Tyler (Trisha) Champ; 10 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Wayne Champ of Moorhead, MN, Jean Olson of Fargo, ND and Lola Clelland of Pierre, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dale was preceded in death by his wife Joy in 2007; a sister, Maxine; and two brothers-in-law.

­Visitation: 4 – 6 PM Sunday, with a 5:30 PM Prayer Service at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake.

Funeral Service: 11 AM Monday, December 16, 2019 with visitation one hour prior at United Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake.

Officiating:  Reverend Jean Ohman

Interment:  Union Cemetery, Elbow Lake

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Elbow Lake

Online Guestbook: EricksonSmithFH.com