Dale L. Fitzner

Dale L. Fitzner, 81, Clinton, MN, passed away Friday, July 26, 2019, in his home.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton with Rev. Richard Larson officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Donna Danielson and vocalist Tara Fletcher.

Burial will be in the Elim Cemetery, Clinton.  Military honors will be provided by the Campbell Williams American Legion Post 258 of Clinton. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Fletcher, Carlton Fletcher, Gary Cardwell, and all of his school bus kids.  Active pallbearers will be Dale Stein, Mike Clark, Gary Sigler, Clayton Fitzner, Ethan Fitzner, and Kenny Chase.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dale Leonard Fitzner was born October 27, 1937, to Leonard H.C. and Marie (Dittberner) Fitzner on the farm near Milbank, SD.  He was baptized at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ortonville, MN.  He grew up on the farm and loved his International tractors.  Dale was a member of the Army National Guard 175 ^th Field Artillery Unit from 1956 to 1960.

On April 8, 1972, Dale married Karen Fletcher at the Elim Lutheran Church in Clinton.  They farmed in the Clinton area.  Dale also drove bus for the CGB Schools, retiring in 2015.  He considered the kids on the school bus to be his own until they were safely dropped off at home.  He never missed an opportunity to teach about safety.  When Dale quit driving bus, it was the kids that he missed.

Dale was proud to be a supervisor on the township board.  He was a 4-H leader and a fervent supporter of 4-H and what it could do for kids.  He especially supported the livestock projects.

Dale was kind, loving, supportive, and tried to see the good in everyone.  He was very proud of his boys and his grandkids.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Fitzner of Clinton; children, Michael (Jamie) Fitzner and their children LeaAnn, Amanda, Samantha, Clayton, Kaylea and Ethan of Mosinee, WI, Travis (Sarah) Fitzner and their children Mackenzie, Danielle, and Brandon of Clinton, Randy (Kelsey) Fitzner and their children Logan, Brantley and one on the way of Cummings, ND, and Scott (Heidi) Fitzner and their children Madeline, Aiden, Chelsea and Brayden of Cummings; sisters, Alice (Wally) Sayles of Ortonville and Darlene Loeschke of Big Stone City, SD; and brother, Don (Patsy) Fitzner of Renville, MN.

Dale was preceded in death by his daughter, LeAnn; and parents, Leonard and Marie.