Born in the times of dirt storms, infestations of deadly insects, depression and diseases like influenza and pneumonia, tuberculosis, scarlet fever and diphtheria; the times when a handshake was a promise to do as spoken. When you stopped what you were doing to help neighbors and friends in need. Back when men were men and their word was their promise;
The man of integrity walks securely, Proverbs 10:9
He shepherded them with integrity of heart, Psalms 78:72.
Dale Kirchenschlager was born in a small home 1 mile east and ½ mile north of Schramm, Colorado, on April 24, 1932 To Burl (Jerry) and Dorothy (Rorabaugh) Kirchenschlager, he was the youngest of 5 children. After living a satisfying and prosperous life Dale went to be the Lord on Sunday May 11, 2025 at the age of 93 years 17 days. Being the youngest of 5, with 4 older sisters; Burldeen (1919-2015), Geraldine (1921-2012), Katherine and Elizabeth, who both died shortly after birth; Dale was well groomed as a younger brother; he spoke often of them telling him what to do, when to do it and how to do it!
Dale went to school at the local country school at Schramm. This is where he met his future wife when he was only 7 years old, Betty Weeks was 6. The families of Dale and Betty lived ½ mile apart. The two families had many good times together. Betty and Dale would walk, ride horses, and eventually drive to school together. They were best friends! While Dale was not active in sports, he was more than active when it came to chasing pigs, cows, chickens and horses-He was one of the best. Dale excelled in 4-H and FFA, and took many trips to the mountains with the organizations. Dale graduated with the class of 1950 from Yuma Union High School.
On March 29, 1953, in the same home that Dale was born in, he and Betty officially began the first day of the rest of their lives. They were friends for 79 years and husband and wife for 65 years.
In 1954, their first child, Tena Kay was born. It was a hard time for the small family as Dale was drafted into the Army and stationed in California. Betty and Tena followed in order to keep the family as a unit. When Dale was to be transferred to Europe, his physical results allowed him to stay in the states, he had diphtheria! Dale spoke of the wasted time and money while in California; he was building a golf course! A short time later, they were transferred to Missouri. There Dale maintained all the military vehicles – this ranked much higher in his mind than the golf course! Their stay in Missouri was short as Dale requested a Hardship Discharge to go home due to his father and mother–in-law were both battling health issues.
Dale and Betty began their married life living in the home that his parents had moved onto their farm located ½ mile north and ½ mile west of where he was born and married. A home large enough to fill with kids; Jay Bea (1956), Daniel Lee (1958) and soon Roger Dale (1960). With the three boys and Tena the family was complete and the home was filled with the wonderful sounds of FAMILY!
When Dale graduated from high school, his father wanted to be sure that his only son would be set to farm and follow in his footsteps. He was gifted with 4 pieces of Case International farm equipment; an international “M” tractor, an International four row lister, an International 2 row corn picker which mounted on the “M” and an International Go Dig cultivator. When seeing Paul Gardner and later John Gardner they would always remind Dale of the generous gift from his father and let him see the receipt. This could be one reason that Dale was a loyal International customer. If his memory served him right, he says that he might have even been the first in the area to own an International combine with a row crop header.
Dale was one of the first to have irrigation wells; with tow lines, flood and eventually center pivots. Dale was very proud of the mini elevator that he had. With it he had storage to hold all harvested crops with a dryer, a leg to move the commodities from bin to bin and trucks. With this, he was able to feed all the yearlings in his small feedlot. At one time in this farming career he and the family farmed 10 circles with crops of corn, alfalfa, milo, sunflowers, sorghum, and probably others that we don’t remember.
To supplement their income Dale worked with the ASC office measuring land. He and Francis Rogers decided that there was a need for someone to cut silage. They traveled the country roads, going into Washington and Logan counties as well. This was not a small operation! Back in the day they had several cutters, trucks and a pack tractor, all members of both families helped one way or another. It was a fun time with many hours dedicated to getting all that was contracted cut and put up before the corn would dry.
In 1966 Dale became involved with the Kitzmiller Grazing Association by becoming a charter member; he was one of 4 or 5 still remaining today. Many hours were spent fixing fences and processing yearlings-once again this was a family activity. This might be where rodeo became a lifestyle of the Kirchenschlager!
Dale was a diversified agriculturalist! He had his farming, feedlot, cow/calf operation, a small dairy, hogs, chickens, and maybe even a few goats and sheep. To put it lightly, he milked a few cows, processed a few chickens, and when his dad was helping they would load a 1949 Chevy truck and take fat hogs to the stockyards in Denver. He loved living the farm live with his farm family!
In years to follow, Dale found time to travel with his family and friends. He took a couple of trips to Mexico with his church family to do ministry and to help the locals build safe water systems for the homes and churches of the community. Dale was not a big fan of traveling though, when asked where he would like to go if he could go anywhere, his answer was always “North of Schramm”. After all, Dale and Betty called this home for 27 years of married life and 54 total years for him.
In 1980, times were hard for many; the opportunity to sell was brought before Dale. After making the hardest decision he ever had to make, a move was made into the city limits of Yuma, to a home that needed a lot of work to fit the family needs. Dale and Betty worked together to get this new home just right for their family. This home fostered the next 40+ years of Dale and Betty’s family legacy.
After the move, Dale remained active with the farming/ranching activities by helping Dan and Roger when they needed expert advice. He always had the answer, not always the one they wanted to hear, but nevertheless an answer. Dale loved his grandchildren; you could find him at their school activities or at the rodeo with a pad and pencil. (Thank goodness RFD TV started televising rodeos!) There was never a time that he did not ask what the kids were doing, had been doing, or what they were going to do. He needed to know!
We are so proud of Dale’s life and his teachings. The hardest times for him were when he lost his best friend and wife in 2018; his son Dan in 2014 and his grandson Brandon in 2007. Through this all, he taught us how to continue to live life without those that we love, to hold our heads up and continue on. Life changes, but it still goes on. We are thankful for him, all that he was all that he created, and all that he has helped us to become.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Dorothy; his parents in-law, Loyal and Doris Weeks; his sisters and their spouses, Burldeen (Carroll) Phillips and Geraldine (Gene) Stevens; and siblings in-laws, Lynn and Keith Weeks, and Kenny and Bonnie Lyon, son Dan and grandson Brandon Kalb.
Those left to hold their heads high and continue on are his daughter Tena (Mike) McCaslin; sons Jay and Roger, and daughter-in-law Kindra. 7 Grandchildren Renee Goeglein; Korie (Jake) Saracino; Dakota (Emily) Kirchenschlager; Amber (Max Moore) Kirchenschlager; Mallori (Adam Roberts) Kirchenschlager; Tate (Terra) Kirchenschlager, Trevor Kirchenschlager and his significant other Robbyn Wells. 12 Great-grandchildren Kendall Goeglein and his significant other Stevie Tucker; Molly Goelgein and her significant other Justin Kass; Kyler Goeglein; Braxton and Kasen Hamblin, Leo Saracino; Brylyn Kirchenschlager, Abby Zuch, Parks, and Sage Ramsey; Henley Moore-Kirchenschlager; and Remi Kirchenschlager. 2 Great-great grand children Kaycen Tucker and Hudson Kass. Honorary family members Darwin and Charlotte Pardoe who took Dale to lunch most every Thursday after Betty passed; Linda Seedorf who shared and celebrated birthdays, and Jeff Sitzman who visited weekly and became one of Dad’s good friends. He will be missed by a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral Service – Monday, May 19, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at the New Life Christian Center in Eckley, Colorado. Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery. Pastor Glen Kline Officiated the service and Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.