Dale Kongslie

Coloma, Wisc.

Dale Theodore Kongslie, age 90, of Coloma, WI went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 1st with his daughter Teresa Beaver (Kongslie), and granddaughter Hannah Slowey by his side at St. Michael’s Hospital, Stevens Point, WI on February 1st, 2025. He died of natural causes. Prayers, holding of hands, and his favorite Christian songs were played as angels escorted his soul to the heavenly father.

He was born January 14th, 1935 in Rugby, ND to Alice (Juderjohn) Kongslie and Reuben Kongslie. Dale was raised and attended primary and secondary school at A.D. Public School in Upham, North Dakota where his father ran a successful Allis Chalmers dealership and his mother was a teacher. He had great memories growing up in Upham along with his younger sister, MaryAnn. There were many stories throughout the years of how he enjoyed terrorizing her, all in good fun, as only a brother would do. The memories and stories brought lots of laughs throughout the years for all of us. He played football, basketball, and baseball. Dale was active in Scouting and attained Eagle Scout rank, Troop 24, Upham, North Dakota on November 26th, 1952. Dale attended the University of North Dakota and graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Social Studies. He took his first teaching job at Barrett, MN where he met his future wife, Shirley Marie Dahl, whom also was an educator. They pledged their love in matrimony in Barrett, MN on January 1st, 1958. Shirley was the “Love of Dale’s life” celebrating 67 years of marriage before his passing. Dale joined the U.S. Army Reserves on March 24th, 1959 as a supply clerk MOS 768.20, then transferred by reenlisting into the North Dakota Army National Guard in Minot, North Dakota serving with the Head Quarter Company, 164th Engineering Battalion as a Personnel Specialist MOS 716.10 attaining the rank of SP5 E5 before being honorably discharged September 15th, 1962. Dale culminated his educational goals by receiving a Masters degree in School Administration from the University of Superior in Superior, WI. His coaching and School administrator career took him to many locations. He remembered the names of those he coached throughout the years and fondly spoke of them with great details. Dale ended his career serving as the Principal at Oxford Elementary School in Oxford, WI. Dale loved to travel, fish, and brag “Oh, them Packers!!”

Surviving Dale is his wife Shirley Kongslie (Dahl), three children, Mark (Kimmie) Kongslie, Amy (Michelle) Kongslie, Teresa (Douglas) Beaver, a sister, MaryAnn Kongslie Smith, six grandchildren: Kylie (Luke) Kongslie, Ryan (Breyanna) Kongslie ,Justin (Kirsten) Slowey, Nathan Slowey, Hannah (Geno) Slowey and Peyton Slowey; and four great-grandchildren: Briggs Michael Slowey, Giovanni Nicholas Quattrocchi, Harvey Salzwedel and Scarlett Beres. Dale was also very close to his three nephews: Kevin (Charlotte) Smith, Bradley Smith, and Brent (Becky) Smith.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents: Alice and Reuben Kongslie, brother-in-law, Rodney (MaryAnn) Smith; granddaughter, Kendra Suzanne Kongslie; and a great nephew, Davin Smith.

Memorial services will be held for Dale and Shirley at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home, Friendship, Wisconsin. Father David Bruener will officiate. Visitation will be at Roseberry’s Funeral Home on Friday, March 21st from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at Moundview Golf Course.

They will be laid to rest at the Bloomfield Lutheran Cemetery in Upham, ND at a future date to be determined.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 20, 2025.