Rosalind Joy Dale, ‘Rosie’, was born June 21, 1936, to John and Bessie Jorgensen on a farm near Jacksonville, Iowa. The fourth of five siblings, Rosie was raised there and went to country school through eighth grade. She graduated from Harlan High School and, after completing a year of college, worked for two insurance companies in Des Moines.
Rosie was baptized and confirmed at the Jacksonville Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After she and her family moved to Audubon, she became a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Her strong faith remained a central part of her life.
In February 1957, Rosie was engaged to Skip, the love of her life. They were married June 9, 1957, and honeymooned in Missouri. Together, they had five children. Over the years, they lived in Des Moines (one year), Tacoma, Washington (one year), the family farm near Viola, Iowa (six years), and Audubon, Iowa, where they ran Skip’s Hi-Way Cafe for 30 years. Rosie was a waitress and a bookkeeper.
Rosie, a gifted singer who performed in the All-State choir, enjoyed singing at weddings and proms. Rosie’s favorite days were when she could fix a meal, share a treat, or visit with family and friends. When it came to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Grandma Rosie could not express enough how special they were and how much she loved them.
After 56 years of residing at 701 1st Ave., Rosie and Skip moved to the Friendship Home in 2021. Rosie greatly enjoyed living at the Home and loved the activities, being social, and the staff – they were family.
Rosie had a heart of gold, sharing love, compassion, and smiles with everyone. Rosie was a true blessing who was loved by all!
Preceding her in death were her husband Skip; son-in-law Gene ‘Gopher’ Weitl; infant sons Shane and Will Dale; grandson Jesse Mossyge; parents John and Bessie Jorgensen; father-in-law and mother-in-law Alton and Nellie Dale; brother Jack Jorgensen and his wife Rhoda; brother Phil Jorgensen and his wife Jane; brother-in-law Jerry Kelly; sister-in-law Elaine Jorgensen; sister-in-law Janice and brother-in-law Keith Crowley.
Survivors include her children Todd (Linda) Dale of San Diego, California; Jennifer (James) Mossyge of LeRoy, Minnesota; and Polly Weitl of Audubon; grandchildren Rosalynd (Marten) Dale of Berlin, Germany; Jameson (Rose) Mossyge of Rochester, Minnesota; Aubrey (James) Roe of Adams, Minnesota; Josh (Kiley) Weitl of Dallas Center, Iowa; and Jorja (Cooper) Frankl of Waterloo, Iowa; her step-grandson Donnie Marsh and family of San Diego; her great-grandchildren Jackson and Jayden Mossyge; Grayson, Allie and Dalton Roe; and Rory and Blake Weitl; sister Mary Kelley of Audubon; brother Dan Jorgensen of Audubon; sister-in-law Linda Lawnsdale of West Des Moines; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon, IA, with Pastor Chris Townsend officiating the service. Interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery following the funeral. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the fellowship hall of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.
Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the funeral at the Church also on Wednesday.
Memorials may be directed to the Dale Family in memory of Rosie. They will be designated to many of her favorite local organizations and charities and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.
The Schmidt-Kessler Funeral Home of Audubon, IA, is handling the arrangements.
