Dale Gray

Dale Jean Gray, 94, of Pine Island, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on May 8, 2024. He was born in Rochester Minnesota on October 8, 1929 to Arthur & Cecelia (Bethke) Gray. Dale was a devoted husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He will be remembered for his fishing stories and tales of the many colorful adventures of his youth. His unwavering moral code, integrity and work ethic have been a rich legacy to us all.

Dale graduated from Rochester High in 1948 where he played in the first four MN State HS Hockey Tournaments. He furthered his education at Rochester Junior College and played four seasons with the Rochester Mustangs hockey team. He took great pride in his service as a corpsman in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1954. Dale worked briefly for Kruse Lumber before his 40+ years with "Ma Bell" (Northwestern Bell - AT&T).

Dale married Marcia Priebe in 1959, embraced her two young daughters and together they added a third daughter to their family. Dale would take his girls on many fishing trips, camping adventures and even a few Carribean cruises. He happily endured many dance and music recitals, dress-up parties and 19 years with their beloved french poodle "Foo Foo" (another female). Once retired, Marcia and Dale moved out to their 20-acre Pine Island home where they enjoyed wide open spaces, the Zumbro river, horses, and a few cows. Several grandchildren spent memorable days there with Molly and her husband moving onto the homestead to care for both Marcia and Dale until their deaths. Dale was especially grateful to Molly and husband Matt for their care and devotion. His beloved great grandson, Matson (son of Molly and Matt) was a very special gift in the last years of Dale's life.

Dale is survived by his daughters, Marla McGee (Robert McKibben) of Cave Creek AZ, Mona McGee Olson (Guy Olson) of Apple Valley MN, Dale Marie Gray of Scottsdale AZ; grandchildren, Scott, Bobby, Jennifer, DJ Radonovich, Callianne Cheney, Molly Mullins, Shannon Hafterson, Shannon Larson, Sean, Shane, Kara and Eric McKibben; and 12 great grandchildren.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Priebe Gray; parents Arthur and Cecelia Gray; and brothers, Ralph (Mary) and Steven (Avis).

Memorial service will be held at 11:00am Friday, June 28, 2024 at Mahn Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Thursday, June 27, 2024. A private family burial will be in Oronoco Cemetery.