Dale James Kenkel was born on Dec. 9, 1959, to Merle and Theresa (Miller) Kenkel. He passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, surrounded by his family.
Dale grew up on the family farm outside of Missouri Valley and attended the St. Patrick Catholic School and the Missouri Valley Public Schools. Dale worked for Dilt’s Trucking as a truck driver and later as a dispatcher for the company. He worked for Rief Trucking as a driver and later worked for the Menard’s Distribution Center in their warehouse before his retirement. Dale, Jerry, and Roger began farming together on the family farm. Later on, Jerry and Dale continued the farming operation together.
Dale enjoyed growing his own vegetable garden every year, a talent he got from his mother. He loved sharing his tomatoes with family and friends every season.
Dale is survived by his parents; siblings, Jerry Kenkel and his wife Debbie of Missouri Valley, Richard Kenkel and his wife Irene of Arlington, Neb., Carol and her husband Pat Sears of Logan, Dan Kenkel of Omaha, Neb., Roger Kenkel of Missouri Valley, Jolene and her husband A.J. Gulizia of Omaha, and Janelle Kenkel-Holloway and her husband Tom Holloway of Harlan; many nieces and nephews; good friend, John Carney; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine, with Rev. Jim Kirby presiding over the service. The recorded musical selections were “You Rise Me Up” by Josh Groban, “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill, and “People Are Crazy” by Billy Currington.
Services were entrusted to Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
