Dale Chester Frye was born at home near Cloverdale, MN on June 27, 1928, to Lester and Ellen (Opsahl) Frye.  Waiting for his birth was his older brother, Vance Frye, and older sister Joyce (Frye) Libra.  The entire family worked on the homestead and made a good life.  Today, a part of that homestead is Frye Tree Farm.  Dale worked those fields all of his life.

In his youth he attended the rural Crosby School and also went to Hinckley High.  In 1951 he volunteered his service to the U. S. Army; after basic and specialty training, he was shipped to South Korea and was engaged in the Korea War.  He made his way back home, to the farmstead.

In 1953 Dale met the love of his life, Margaret Ann Roberston.  They have been together for 68 years.  To this union, eight children were able to call Dale, daddy or dad.  Dale and Margaret bought the farmstead next to his parents in 1956.  They raised chickens, eggs, milk cows, and hogs; selling the milk to the Hinckley creamery and eggs to the Co-op store.

Throughout the years Dale worked off the farm starting with driving a school bus.  Dale was an excellent welder and worked in Duluth for several years coming home on weekends.  In 1967 Dale was hired as the first VT Welding Instructor at the federal prison in Sandstone, MN.  He was proud to teach the inmates a vocation he knew would serve them well after release.  He worked there for 22 years.  He also taught VT Welding classes as a part of Pine Tech's community education.

Dale was a proud member of the Hinckley American Legion Post serving one term as Commander and helping with numerous projects and functions.  He was a true patriot.  Dale loved most to be with his ever-expanding family.  He counted all the new babies' toes and would declare "Yep, those are Frye toes."  He really enjoyed teaching his children and some of the grandchildren how to fish, hunt, camp, dance, laugh and plant trees.  He liked a good joke and to pull pranks once in a while.  He was slow to anger and laughed easily.  He believed in hard work and dedication to the job.  After the work, however, was rest and relaxation.

Dale is preceded in death by one Grandson, Michael Mount; one Great Granddaughter, Faith Frye, and son-in-law Albert Tendrup.  He is also preceded by his parents Lester and Ellen Frye, brother and sister-in-law Vance and Gertrude Frye, sister and brother-in-law Joyce and Ray Libra, Sr., and in-laws Mike and Lena Robertson.

Dale is survived by his wife Margaret; children Peggie, Pamela, Patti (Chris), Jim (Dodie), Amy, Sarah (Doug), Andy (Shelia), and Emily (Jimbo).  He is also survived by 17 Grandchildren, 40 Great Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Funeral arrangements are set for Saturday, June 18 ^th at Zion Lutheran Church, Cloverdale, MN.  Visitation will be from 10-11 A.M.  Services will start at 11 A.M. followed by the Legion Honor Guard, and a luncheon.