Dale Leroy Hunwardsen, age 89, of Anthon, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Accura Healthcare of Cherokee, Iowa.
Private Family Services will be held at the Anthon Community Methodist Church of Anthon, Iowa. Lay Minister Shirley Nelson will officiate. Committal Services will be held in the Oak Hill Cemetery of Anthon, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNiff Post No. 389 of the American Legion of Anthon, Iowa.
The Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Anthon, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Dale Leroy Hunwardsen, the son of Otto and Ella (Christophersen) Hunwardsen, was born on January 18, 1936, in Danbury, Iowa. He grew up in the Cushing-Correctionville, Iowa, area and graduated from Correctionville High School in 1955. After high school, Dale entered the work force before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force.
On November 27, 1955, Dale married the love of his life, Rosalie “Rosie” Clark, in the United Methodist Church of Washta, Iowa. The couple moved to Amarillo, Texas, where Dale was stationed on an Air Force base. They were blessed with four children: David, Kevin, Michael, and Michelle “Shelley”.
After receiving his honorable discharge from the service in 1961, the family settled in Sioux City, Iowa, where Dale began working as a tank wagon driver for Standard Oil Company. In 1966, they made their home in Anthon, Iowa, where Dale continued his tank wagon route until retiring in 1997. He also found great fulfillment in driving a school bus route for 31 years with the Anthon-Oto Schools and later the MVAO School District. In 2017, he completed his final route, treasuring the memories of the many students’ lives he touched throughout those years.
Dale was an active member of the Anthon Community Methodist Church. He enjoyed watching Westerns and sports, with football being his favorite. He was always eager to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Dale had a fondness for motorcycles and cars; he loved taking off in the car on vacations. Above all, Dale cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Left to cherish his memory include children David (Pam) Hunwardsen of Gladstone, MO, Kevin Hunwardsen of Correctionville, IA and Shelley Boggs of Anthon, IA; grandchildren Erica (Chris) Somsky, Nicholas Boggs, Nathan (Rachel) Boggs, Dillon (Heather) Hunwardsen, Alyssa (Seth) Goslar, and Josh Moore; 12 great-grandchildren; sister Lois Gotliebson of Colfax, WI; sisters-in-law Mary Hunwardsen of Kingsley, IA and JoAnn Hunwardsen of Galt, CA and numerous nieces, nephews, as well as extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Ella Hunwardsen; his wife of 62 years Rosalie Hunwardsen; son Michael Hunwardsen; son-in-law Jerry Boggs; granddaughter Sheri Moore; sister Vera (Burdette) Lorenzen; brothers Earl, Roy “Butch” (Janice), and Gary Hunwardsen; in-laws Roger and Kathryn Clark; and brother-in-law Gaylon Gotliebson.
The family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing staff at Accura HealthCare of Cherokee and Cherokee Regional Hospice for the compassionate care they provided dad in his final days. Your kindness and support will never be forgotten.
Cemetery Details
Location
Anthon, IA 51004
