Obituary of Dale Dotson

Dale Donald Dotson, the son of Lyman "Sam" Dotson and Laura Rose Dotson was born August 3, 1924 on a farm near Terril, Iowa, the youngest of five children. He graduated from Lake Center High School in 1942 where he was Senior Class Secretary/Treasurer, a member of the basketball team and performed in many high school plays. On March 27, 1946, Dale was united in marriage to Evelyn Boles and they started their family in a small house on the Dan Green Slough south of Terril, which was always dear to Dale's heart. From this union were born three children, one son and two daughters. They moved to a farm outside of Spencer in 1957 and ultimately to their retirement home on Lake Minnewashta in Arnolds Park in 1982. Dale lived and farmed in the Terril, Spencer and Iowa Great Lakes area his entire life. Dale's interests were varied including photography, ice-boating, sailing and boating, motorcycles and snowmobiles. He was a farmer, truck driver, an excellent mechanic and welder as well as an accomplished woodworker. He enjoyed participating in local community theatre where he played the role of Matt Dillon in the community portrayal of Gunsmoke. He was also active in the community in the PTA, Farm Bureau, and the Coop Elevator board, as well as working to save the old Arnolds Park School building. Dale and Evelyn operated stands at the Clay County Fair for forty-nine years. Dale loved Christmas and folks came from miles around to enjoy the display in his yard of lights, music and the magical Santa's workshop. Dale passed away on June 28, 2012 at Spirit Lake, Iowa, at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Laura, grandson Nathan Woodley, brothers, Levon, Ervil and Everett Dotson and his sister, Mildred (Mrs. Dewey) Olson. He is survived by his wife Evelyn, three children; Ronald and his wife Darla of Lorena, Texas; Barbara and her husband Wayne Woodley of Arnolds Park, Iowa; and Melody and her husband Kent Brinkley of Lyons, Colorado; six grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; as well as other relatives and many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Dale's name.