Dale Alvin Koestler

Passed quietly on May 21, 2025. Beloved husband of the late Marilyn Koestler. Dale was also predeceased by his daughter, Ann Foster; his parents, Minor Joseph Koestler and Gerturde Moore and his brothers, Merwyn and Gerald. Dale was born on November 12, 1933.

He is survived by his daughter, Ellen; and son, Peter; and their families.

Dale graduated from Algona High School in 1951 at the height of the Korean War. Young men were being drafted at 18.5 years of age. Dale decided he would like to choose which service to serve in. He chose the Navy and served 3 years as an Aviation Metalsmith in Greenland. In December of 1954 he enrolled in Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa).

At the University Dale noticed Marilyn on campus and eventually asked others who she was and if they knew her. One man said yes, but added a quick note that she was not Dale’s type. As the new term began the end of December, Dale sat down in class and shortly thereafter Marilyn walked in. Dale introduced himself. Marilyn, initially, was not impressed. However, by the end of January they had their first date. Dale sent Marilyn a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day—attempting to beat out all competition. By April they were engaged and told their parents. They set the wedding date for December 23, 1956, because they would have a couple of weeks off school and Dale would be off work. Seems all the planning worked out well because as of 2020 they had been married 64 years. While dating they picked out names for 4 children, put the names in order to use and used 3 of those names very quickly.

Their motto was “stay flexible” because you never know when plans may need to change. Early in 1957 Ellen was on the way altering Marilyn’s plans to teach while supporting Dale’s continued studies. Ellen was born in October of 1957. When Dale graduated, they signed a contract to teach in a small town in Southwest Iowa. Marilyn was terminated from her contract December 1, 1958, as Peter was on the way. Pregnant women were not allowed to be teachers in those days. Peter was born in February 1959. In June of 1959, Dale wanted to do graduate work at Colorado University so the family packed and moved to the state. Both Dale and Marilyn signed contracts to teach and although Ann was on the way Marilyn managed to finish the school year. Ann was born in October of 1960. The second year of Dale’s contract presented some ethical challenges so the family packed up and moved to Denver where he could work and complete graduate studies. A few classes short of a graduate degree with no remote study options or way to finish the program, Dale was offered a Federal position in Philadelphia, an opportunity which they did not pass up. Two years later Dale was offered a Federal position near Tokyo, Japan, where the family spent three years. They returned to Iowa for a year before taking an assignment in the Washington, D.C. area. The D.C. assignment turned into a long stint on the East Coast. They moved several times within the area. During this period, Dale finally picked up a graduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Both eventually retired from Federal service. In the meantime, their children married and grandchildren began arriving.

They eventually chose to retire to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee. Somehow, the place was described to their children as in the warmer South (false), and conveniently half way between Virginia and Iowa (10 and 13 hours respectively by car). The children still puzzle about this thought process. But certainly, the golf courses were influential, quilting and sewing groups abundant, the trees deciduous, and the church community strong. Dale called Fairfield Glade home for 30 years.

Throughout his life Dale was a man of faith. Over the years he served as a deacon, elder, and preacher while mentoring many along the way. His forte was helping people get back on a sound financial plan.

Dale will be buried at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery with his beloved wife on Thursday July 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm.

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