Katherine Dale

Katherine Dale, age 92, Mandan, passed away on August 20, 2025, at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Fred Harvey as celebrant. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Parish Vigil beginning at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to service at the church on Thursday.

Katherine “Kathy” Dale was born March 27, 1933, in Rugby, North Dakota to Jacob and Magdalena (Goldade) Vetsch. She was raised on the family farm near Barton, ND and went to country school. When she started school, she only spoke German and had a hard time. After completing the 8th grade, Katherine helped on the family farm taking care of her siblings. Her favorite dog on the farm was Tippy.

She met Norman Dale in 1951 when he was doing road construction work. On April 20, 1954, Norman and Katherine were united in marriage at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. After their marriage, the couple lived in Aberdeen. They welcomed their first child, Larry, on July 5, 1957. On April 12, 1960, their daughter Janette was born. In June 1966, they moved to Mandan. Katherine was a homemaker while her husband worked in construction. When the children got older, Katherine worked at the Lewis and Clark Café and retired in 1985. A longtime parishioner of Christ the King, Katherine volunteered for many funeral luncheons and could also be seen at the Eagles helping with luncheons there. It helped her get out of the house during retirement years and she enjoyed visiting with people.

Kathy and Norman loved dancing. Kathy taught Norman the schottische and they became known as the schottische couple. She took great pride in her home and yard and could be found outside on many occasions watering the lawn or pulling weeds.

Kathy took care of her husband as his health declined. Though there were many difficult days, she stood by his side through it all. Later in life, Kathy loved watching baseball; especially the Minnesota Twins and she enjoyed many trips out to Prairie Nights Casino. She greatly enjoyed visits from the family dogs; Scruffy and Dooney were her favorites. Kathy loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a frequent “grandma-sitter.” She loved her family deeply and will be missed.

She is survived by her children Larry (Geri) Dale, Mandan, Janette Dale, Mandan; seven grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Braun, Bismarck, Kristin (Scott) Walter, Bismarck, Lindsey (Brenden) Dockter, Mandan, Tiffany (Benjamin) Austin, Böblingen, Germany, Tara (Jordan) Erickson, Williston, Trevor Tekippe (BreeAnna), Mandan, Travis Tekippe (Calie) Mandan; nine great-grandchildren, Emma, Connie, Casey, Elijah, Anastasia, Isabella, Kiana, Luca, and Asher; and one great-great grandchild, Arthur. She is also survived by her sister Linda Axtman, Rugby, and brothers Leo Vetsch, Great Falls, Montana and Fred (Jane) Vetsch, Arizona and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, including two special nephews, Bob Axtman and godson, Gary Axtman.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Norman in 2005, her sister Betty and her brothers James and Martin; an infant brother and two infant sisters; her granddaughter, Heather Tekippe, and her great-grandson, Matthew Walter.