Dale Larsen, 76, of Norwalk and formerly of Grinnell, died on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at UnityPoint Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment with military honors will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Dale's family will receive friends at the visitation held from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Poweshiek County Fair Association or to the Norwalk Firefighters Association and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Dale's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Dale was born the son of Herman Donald Larsen and Kathryn Graham (Lang) Larsen on January 12, 1947 in Grinnell, Iowa. He was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1965. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where he majored in Ag Science. Dale honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.

Dale was united in marriage to Marlene McIlrath on September 19, 1970 at the Grinnell Christian Church. They raised their family of three children, Jeffrey, Joel, and Sara, near Grinnell and Dale operated a grain and livestock farm. He was a member of the Poweshiek County Fair Association and served as board president. He later operated Larsen Auto Sales in Grinnell.

Family always came first for Dale. Whether it was a weekend gathering, a holiday celebration, or a simple dinner, he relished the time spent with loved ones, and creating lasting memories with his grandchildren. Dale's enthusiasm for agriculture extended from farming the land to attending cattle sales and shows. His passion for restoring old John Deere tractors was a labor of love. He painstakingly brought these vintage machines back to life, preserving a piece of agricultural history for future generations. He cherished moments spent on those tractors, taking leisurely rides through the countryside, basking in the beauty of rural Iowa, and sharing the experience with family and friends. Dale's love for the outdoors also included boating, where he could relax on the water and soak in the serenity of nature. Dale's life was a rich tapestry woven with the threads of family, faith, community, and his love for the land. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew and admired his unwavering dedication to the things he held dear.

Dale is survived by his beloved, Dianna Richardson of Norwalk, IA; sons, Jeffrey (Tracy) Larsen of Grinnell, Joel (Casey) Larsen of Cleveland, TN, and Sara (Matt) Roorda of Montezuma, IA; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; his siblings, Kay (Darwin) Rader of Ankeny, IA and Lucille (John) Green of Grinnell; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Donna (Aaron) Corbin.