Dale E. Baedke

Dale left his earthly body and stepped into the presence of Jesus on October 14, 2025. He was 77 years old.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rhonda, his daughter Kristin Harmon and her husband Matt and grandson, Hudson. He had 4 siblings: Fred (Mary) Baedke of Fairfax, VA; Connie (Steve) Johnson of Des Moines; Bonnie (Darrell) Damschen of Clinton, MO; Ellie (Jack) Hansen of Runnells; 6 nieces and nephews; and 10 great nieces and nephews.

Dale served his country in the Air Force in 1967-1970 also serving in Vietnam. He grew up on the east side of Des Moines and resided there until he went into the military.

Dale was a great drummer, but he sold them so he could marry his bride. He also was a great dancer. He and Rhonda would dance every chance they got, even if it was in the kitchen! He was an inventor, artist, cook, and great friend.
He was a gifted woodworker and worked in his dad’s cabinet shop starting at the age of nine. Dale owned three businesses and with one he even did a commercial as “Super Plumber” for a plumbing company. He did fine woodworking to building decks – there wasn’t much he couldn’t do with wood. But his greatest accomplishment, besides marrying the love of his life and having his daughter, was his walk with the Lord. God used Dale in so many ways. He started a noon Bible study at Iowa Lutheran Hospital every week; he was a teacher of the Word at his church, starting an Adult Sunday School class; he taught a class on Wednesday nights on How to Study Your Bible; he was chairman of the Deacons, vice-chair of the Elders, and lead the search for a new pastor. He started “Building Builders” a newsletter that he and Rhonda kept going for two years on walking with the Lord. Dale loved the Lord Jesus and gave his life to Christ in January of 1980 and lived his life as a new creature ever since. Without hesitation it can be said that if what he had to endure brought someone to the Cross of Christ, then his suffering would have not been in vain.

Family will be greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens; 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Mission Church; 12001 Ridgemont Drive, Urbandale. A private family interment will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in memory of Dale.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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