Dale was born the son of Merle and Blanche Siehl Harris on December 29, 1937, in Grinnell, Iowa. He was raised in Grinnell and began attending the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the age of 4. He graduated from the Iowa School for the Deaf with the Class of 1958. Following his education, Dale traveled to various destinations through his employment. He began working for the local newspaper in Williamsburg in 1958 and then worked for Ahrens Manufacturing in 1963. In 1967, he began working for the Donaldson Company in Grinnell and was employed as a spot welder. After thirty-two years of dedication at the Donaldson Company, he retired in 1999. He was united in marriage to Joan Nelson in 1973 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell. To this union was born their daughter Cindy. In 1990, he was united in marriage to Doris Beik at the First Presbyterian Church in Wapello, Iowa. The couple resided in Grinnell much of their lives before moving to Ankeny in December of 2005. Dale was a genuine person who never judged anyone and always portrayed a positive demeanor through his sense of humor and ability to joke with others. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and attended many football and basketball games. He held a strong love for his country and showed his patriotism by often wearing a lapel pin on his shirt. His enjoyments included bowling, golfing, watching car races and attended the Indianapolis 500 for ten years in a row. Dale is survived by his wife Doris Harris of Ankeny; his daughter, Cindy Harris of Des Moines, Iowa; his mother, Blanche Harris of Grinnell; his brother, Dennis (Betty) Harris of Gilman; his stepdaughter, Stella David of Indianapolis, Indiana; and his step granddaughters, Andrea and Natalie David of Indianapolis. Dale was preceded in death by his father, Merle Harris in 1996; and his brother, Dean Harris in 1953. Memorial contributions may be directed to Mercy Hospice Development and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO BOX 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.