GRIDLEY - Dale A. Lutjens, 83, Gridley, died at 10:45 p.m. Sunday (April 2, 2006) at Meadows Mennonite Home, Chenoa.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan, with the Rev. Paul Lellelid officiating. Burial will follow in St. Petri Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Flanagan, and for one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan, or to Meadows Mennonite Home, Chenoa.

Dale was born Aug. 18, 1922, in Minonk Township, the son of Ulrich W. and Anna Doorn Lutjens.

Surviving is a brother, Merlyn Lutjens of Minonk; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Dale was a member of St. Petri Lutheran Church, Flanagan. He attended the Minonk schools and was a lifelong farmer. He was an avid softball player and sports fan and enjoyed volunteering at Meadows Mennonite Home in Chenoa for the past eight years.

Dale was a veteran of World War II having fought in the European Theater.