Dale Eugene Henderson

Dale E. Henderson, age 90, went to his eternal home on April 8, 2017, at Prestige Senior Assisted Living Community, formerly Colonial Vista, in Wenatchee, WA. He was born on January 14, 1927, at Lakeside in Chelan, WA, to the late Dillon and Alma (Smith) Henderson. The eldest of three siblings, Dale lived in Chelan until the 1st grade and then moved to Teton, ID, with his mother and sister, where they lived for one year before moving back to Chelan, and staying until the third grade. During Dale's young life, he lived at several places that included Tacoma, WA, and Tigard, OR. As a teenager, he lived in Wenatchee, WA, with his father, Dillon, and his step-mother, Garnet, for two of the four years while attending Wenatchee High School from 1942-1946. It was during this time in his life, when he met and would later marry, Shirley Lofgren. At the age of 18, Dale entered the Merchant Marines for five months. He trained at Catalina Island before being shipped out to Saipan, where he stayed one week before returning to San Diego, CA. Two months before entering the Army, Dale and Shirley Lofgren were married on July 27, 1946. He then entered into active duty with the Army on September 10, 1946. After two months of basic training, he was assigned and served in Japan for 13 months. After returning to Wenatchee, Dale and Shirley moved to Eugene, OR, where he was hired as a store manager, selling shoes for four months, before the store shut down. The two of them then moved to Yakima, WA, for a brief time, where he worked for another store selling shoes before returning to Chelan, where they lived along 25 Mile Creek, while starting a family. In 1959, Dale started working for the Chelan County Highway Department. He and Shirley were married for 27 years. Dale later married Mildred Snyder on November 21, 1975, in Idaho. They lived in Chelan, where Dale continued working for the Chelan County Highway Department, until retirement in December of 1989, at the age of 62. Dale loved the game of golf and was a devoted practitioner of Yoga. He also had a passion for baseball, basketball, football, and excelled in sports during high school. Because of his great interest in sports, he loved following his grandchildren in their sports activities. Dale inherited many things from his father, Dillon, the best of which was his sense of humor. He loved to tease his lady friends and tell them they wouldn't look half bad if they had a little makeup on. He and Millie thoroughly enjoyed many years having their cabins at Lucerne and Riddle Creek. He was a groundskeeper for the Chelan Boat Club at Lucerne for years, and he maintained the road between Lucerne and Holden Village. His life's experiences were always a joy for him to share. His children and grandchildren especially reveled in his storytelling. Dale is remembered with love by his three children: Michael D. Henderson (Margaret) of Puyallup, WA, Peter D. Henderson (Debra) of Chelan, WA, Virginia M. SwinDell (Daniel) of East Wenatchee, WA; and two step-children: John (Becky) Snyder of Manson, WA, and Steve (Mary Snyder) Luby of Spokane, WA; 12 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. The family would also like to extend their appreciation and love for Collie Winkle and his wife, Rita, who were there for Dale until the end. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 32 years, Millie, in 2008; his precious son, Milton Henderson (1966); his loving step-mother, Elsie Henderson of Chelan, WA; his sister, June Carlson of East Wenatchee, WA; step-brother, Fred Yopp of East Wenatchee, WA; and step-son, Jim Snyder of Chelan, WA. Dale was also preceded in death by his father's sister and brothers, "The Henderson Clan". Dale loved the Henderson Clan like they were his siblings. He was especially close to Everett and Elton, as they helped to raise and guide him. The family wants to thank the many people who took care of him in his declining years: Dr. Tara Hochwalt and her nursing staff at the Veteran's Administration and a special thank you to all his loving caretakers at Prestige Senior Assisted Living. A private family celebration of Dale's life will be held at a later date, where his family will take him on a final boat journey to his beloved Lucerne, WA, where his ashes will be scattered.

Dale Eugene Henderson

January 14, 1927 - April 8, 2017