DALE EDWARD JUERGENS

Longtime Clearfield businessman and community booster, Dale Edward Juergens, passed away Monday, September 30, 2019. He was 96.
Dale was born July 21, 1923, in Creston to Elmer and Grace (Edwards) Juergens. He graduated from Prescott High School in May 1941. The following fall he enrolled at Iowa State University to study Dairy Science. In December Pearl Harbor was attacked, and Dale was among the thousands of young men who went to enlist in the military. He was rejected because his right leg had been weakened by childhood polio.
He found another way to serve during World War II, however. He and a friend hitchhiked to Kingsbury, IN, to work in an ordnance plant. Dale assisted in the manufacture of 22-millimeter shells. There, he met Ruth Wagner. The two were married September 30 15, 1948 and returned to southwest Iowa.
Dale joined the State Savings Bank in Bedford in 1952. He was transferred to manage the Clearfield branch a year later. Throughout his nearly 35-year banking career, he was committed to helping area farmers and business people be successful through the bank’s lending practices. He later served on the State Savings Bank Board of Directors.
He also owned and operated the Dale E. Juergens Insurance Agency and in 1968 purchased 160-acre farm south of Clearfield. He later was a federal crop insurance agent for nearly 30 years, selling the business when he was 92 years old.
Dale was a charter member of the Clearfield Lions Club and passionate about his involvement in Lions. On behalf of Iowa Lions, he was a leader in working with Dr. Alson Braley, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa, to establish the Iowa Lions Eye Bank in 1955. He served as an Iowa Lions District Governor from 1956-57 and in 1999 was awarded the organization’s highest honor, the Melvin Jones award.
Dale was also a devoted booster of the Clearfield community, serving on the school board, town council and holding leadership positions at the Christian Church. During his 30-plus years serving on the Southern Iowa Council of Governments, he worked to secure funds for community projects. He was referred to as “Mr. Clearfield” on numerous occasions.
Dale was an avid fan of the Clearfield Orioles, the Iowa State Cyclones and the Chicago Cubs. In 1945, he won lottery tickets for Games 6 and 7 of the World Series at Wrigley Field. He and his father attended those ballgames. Unfortunately, the Cubs lost the series to the Detroit Tigers. In 2016, he was thrilled to watch with his family as the Cubs won the World Series defeating the Cleveland Indians.
Dale loved Big Band music and was an excellent dancer. He enjoyed participating in area tractor rides and parades, driving his Allis Chalmers tractors. He had a rich and rewarding life.
He cherished his family and was extremely proud of the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Holding dear to memories of Dale are his children, Sharon Weiss, Karen (Mike) Spanier, Annette (Jeff) Busbee and Mike (Mary Beth) Juergens; grandchildren, Krista Weiss Tretick, Nick (Bethany) Spanier, Andrew Spanier, Brandon Busbee, Alex Busbee, Stephanie (Daryll) Sheridan and Adam (Kelsey) Demers; 10 great-grandchildren and his special partner of 16 years, Bertha Jezek.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, son-in-law, Ray Weiss, great-granddaughter, Collette Demers, his parents and two sisters.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Dale’s name has been established for the Lions KidSight USA Foundation Vision Screener. Armstrong Funeral Home of Clearfield and Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2019 at the Christian Church in Clearfield, IA.
Officiating will be Rev. Gwen Trullinger.
Pianist will be Becky Nelson. Special songs will be “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow”-Congregational and “String of Pearls”.
Casketbearers will be Nick Spanier, Andrew Spanier, Brandon Busbee, Alex Busbee, Stephanie Sheridan and Adam Demers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Galen and Linda Bell, Jack and Phyllis Gourley, John and Kay Thomson, Paul and Brenda Rainsforth and Lincoln Jackson.
Dale will be laid to rest at Clearfield Cemetery in Clearfield, IA.
Memorials are to Lions KidSight USA Foundation and Vision Screener Certification.