Dale Eugene Wicke, the oldest son of Henry and Leah (Sandman) Wicke, was born June 21, 1938, at Imperial, Nebraska. He was made God’s own child through Holy Baptism on July 17, 1938, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Wauneta, Nebraska. He made public profession of his faith also at St. Paul’s on March 18, 1951.

Dale passed away on March 9, 2026, at the age of 87 at Chase County Hospital, Imperial, Nebraska, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Dale grew up on the family farm 9 miles south of Wauneta along with his five younger siblings. He attended Fairview country school (Dist. 58) and later St. Paul’s Lutheran Parochial School for 7th and 8th grades and then graduated from Wauneta High School in 1955 at the age of 16. As a teenager, he was active in Dundy County 4-H and exhibited cattle at the National Western Stock Show.

After graduating from high school, Dale farmed with his father on the “south divide” until the fall of 1956 when he was old enough to enlist in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in South Korea just 10-12 miles from the DMZ (demilitarized zone) from 1956-1958. After serving his country for 22 months, he was discharged in July 1958 arriving home in time for wheat harvest.

The International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program was an important part of his life. As a young adult, Dale lived and worked with several different host families in the Netherlands for 6 months and experienced their farming methods as well as the Dutch culture. He remained active in IFYE serving in several leadership positions including State President. His associations with IFYE allowed him to travel nationally and internationally to several conferences and make many lifelong friends in the process.

Dale was active in his church and community and always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and served in many offices and positions. For many years he participated in the Walther League youth group. In later years, he was also very involved with the Senior Center in Wauneta and served on their Board.

Farming was his life’s work and passion, and he spent nearly 70 years caring for and stewarding the land until his health deteriorated. He was a hard worker and always interested in farming innovations, soil conservation and technology. For many years Dale and his brother, Hank, had a certified seed cleaning and sales business which served local wheat farmers.

Outside of farming, Dale had many interests including travel, photography, reading, woodworking, target shooting, and “just shooting the breeze”.

Dale was a beloved brother, uncle, and great uncle who will be greatly missed by his loving family and numerous friends. “Uncle Dale” was a fun-loving uncle and could be counted on to help celebrate special occasions and achievements with his nephews and nieces.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; infant brother, Harold; brother, Donald Wicke; sister, Bonnie Mohling; brother-in-law, Bruce Musser; and nephew, Garrett Wicke.

Survivors include his brother, Henry of Wauneta; sister, Nola Musser of Tempe AZ; sister-in-law, Sue Wicke of Mesa, AZ; and brother, Lloyd and wife Kathleen of Centennial, CO, as well as four nephews Brett (Heather) Mohling, Marc (Claire) Musser, Nathan (Marta) Wicke, Jon (Jamie) Wicke; and four nieces Laurie (Jim) Crimando, Kristine Orton, Erica Wicke, Tanya (Jeff) Mauk. He is also survived by five great nephews, Ben Crimando, Timothy Orton, Kade Mauk (fiancée Elizabeth), Dayne Mauk, Christopher Wicke, and Cash Wicke; and four great nieces, Tia (Patrick) Douglass, Kylie Mohling (fiancé Andrew), Ashlyn Mohling (fiancé Austin), Teryn Orton and Abby Wicke as well as a great, great nephew Evan Douglass and great, great niece Olivia Douglass.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 am MDST on March 20, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (rural Wauneta) with inurnment also at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Wauneta Senior Center, or Wauneta Care and Therapy Center.