Dale L. Emberson

A kind, compassionate, genuine, dependable, father-figure, faithful Christian, joyful, brother, trickster, authentic, humble, determined, fun, lively man died March 7 at home surrounded by his family.  That man was Dale L. Emberson.  Dale, the son of James and Lena (Franson) Emberson, was born April 5, 1936.  He was a brother to Jim, Lois, Ada, and Sharon.  He was baptized and confirmed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Dale was proud to be a “North Side” kid.  He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1954. 

This determined young man started his working career at 8 years old, pedaling his little bike selling Colverine Salve.  He graduated to a bigger bike and delivered papers to his 60 customers.  In the summer, he caddied at the Eau Claire Country Club.  He was a baker at Bonins Bakery.  As a teen he started working part-time as a “clean-up” boy at Madison Street Auto Body, where his passion for painting and repairing damaged vehicles started.  Dale was a car lover – over the years he owned 72 vehicles.  As the years went by, he worked at different body shops and in 1973, he and business partner Tom Dunbar started Tower Auto Body.  Dale was known as the “best paint man” in town.  After years of body work, Dale started a new business, West Central Damage Appraisal. He retired from that business in January 1997.  He couldn’t stay retired, so he started Happy at Home Pet Sitting, living out his love of dogs.  Dale’s life was never without a dog. 

Dale married Anita Olson in 1957.  From that union came two wonderful children.  They later divorced.  Dale was a single man for a decade until he met Elaine Anderson on a life-changing trip to Las Vegas in February 1978.  They married in May of that year and 46 years later they were still happily together. 

Dale was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona, where he was a custodian for several years.  He was proud to be a charter member and officer of the Eau Claire Seymour Lions Club. 

Dale enjoyed many activities with his family and friends; golfing, fishing, hunting, skiing, roller blading, traveling, canoeing, bowling, cards, and watching his favorite sports teams, the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. 

Dale is survived by his wife, Elaine, son Wayne (Patty) Emberson, daughter Kristin (Jeff) Passineau, grandchildren Tracy and Trenton Emberson, sister Lois Kloss and many other loving family members.  He was proceeded in death by sisters Ada Shilts and Sharon Backstrom, brother Jim Emberson, and brothers-in-law Gene Kloss, Elmer (Pug) Backstrom and Fern Shilts. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Eau Claire County Humane Association (3900 Old Town Hall Road, Eau Claire); Bethlehem Lutheran Church (2245 Hayden Avenue, Altoona) or Scenic Hills Youth Ranch (P.O. Box 275, Bloomer WI 54724). 

Visitation will be at 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15th, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2245 Hayden Avenue, Altoona.  Service will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Interment will be at Rest Haven Cemetery. 

“I have fought the good fight.  I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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