Dale Nelson Sloth, the son of Jens C. and Christina M. (Nelson) Sloth, was born February 2, 1926, at his parents’ home near Viola Center, Iowa and died February 26, 2024, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa, under hospice care at the age of 98 years and 24 days.
Dale was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended Viola School then graduated from the Viola High School with the Class of 1943. While growing up, Dale worked on the family farm first with horses and later With tractors. After graduation he continued his farm work, then on January 2, 1951, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He did his Basic Training in Fort Riley, Kansas and then was sent to Korea. During his tour of duty, he served with Medical Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division. Being a Medic, he served on the front lines during battle with the enemy. During a battle on September 17, 1951, eight men went down at once and while Dale was moving the wounded soldiers to safety called for assistance and they all were saved. His Commanding was impressed with his courage and was going to award him a Silver Star, but the Commanding Officer was killed in action before he was able to finish the paper work. Later he was awarded a Bronze Star with letter V for valor. Dale was honorably discharged in October of 1952 with the rank of Sergeant at Camp Atterbury, Indiana and then returned to the family farm.
On January 4, 1955, he was united in marriage to Louise Kathryn Balk in Templeton, Iowa. They were blessed with four children Rick, Sandy, Duane, and Shelly. They operated the farm where they grew row crops, hay, and raised livestock. Dale’s true love was feeding cattle. He fed hogs for a short period, but fed cattle for over 69 years from 1945 through 2014, retiring from farming and the cattle business at the age of 88 in 2014. Dale and Louise moved to Audubon in 1997. They enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months in Texas. Louise died in 2005. One of Dale’s most memorable trips, was in 2013 when he traveled to Denmark to meet all his Danish relatives and friends.
Dale was very civic minded and was a Melville Township Trustee for several years; donated over 5 gallons of blood; a member of the Audubon County Farm Bureau; a member of the Operation T-Bone Committee for 28 years feeding and shipping cattle to Omaha for many years and assisted with the Avenue of flags. He was a member of the Dedham Legion since 1952 and a member of the Audubon VFW Post 4119 since 1961 and presented over 350 American Flags to families of deceased Veterans. Dale served as Commander for 4 years, 18 years as the Quarter-Master, and 16 years as All-State Quarter-Master. Dale’s greatest passion was feeding cattle, but above all he enjoyed being with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was his wife Louise in 2005; an infant grandson, Ryan Sloth; his parents; his brothers Iver and wife Leora Sloth and Earl Sloth; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Clem and Florence Balk; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in law Thelma and husband Harry Grimsman, Laverne Balk, Marlene Brincks, Leroy Balk, Dorene and husband Larry Gute, Ray and wife Faye Balk, and Terry and wife Nancy Balk.
Survivors include his four children and spouses: Rick and Merrie Ann Sloth of Elk Horn, Iowa, Sandy and Bob Busche of Ankeny, Iowa, Duane and Becky Sloth of Audubon, Iowa, and Shelly and Don Counsell of Osage, Iowa; his grandchildren and great grandchildren; Bryan Sloth and friend Mary Heithoff; Kevin and Krista Sloth, Keegan and Crue; Matt and Taryn Busche, Mara and Reid; Scott and Chelsea Busche, Declan and Lincoln; Melissa and Brian Jacobs, and Easton; Jacque and Alex Wagner, Mia and Carter; Derek and Callie Counsell; and Cole Counsell; his step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren: Austin Buelt and friend Amber, and Celeste; Brandon Buelt, and Emily; Carrie Ann and Steven Hayward, Ana, Lane and Alex; his AFS grand-daughter Malene and Michael Emborg-Andersen, and Toke and Ella; his brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Melvin Brincks, Judy Balk, and Gary Balk numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends both in the USA and Denmark.
Funeral services will be conducted by Chaplin Owen Englin on Saturday morning March 2, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. The family will meet with friends Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Bryan Sloth, Kevin Sloth, Matt Busche, Scott Busche, Derek Counsell, and Cole Counsell.
