DALWYN "DAL" D. SCHELHAAS, age 80, of Kenneth, died Friday, April 15, 2016, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton. He was born February 3, 1936, in a farmhouse in rural Pipestone County, to Peter and Cornelia (Gilman) Schelhaas. Dal attended country school and the Leota Christian School. He graduated from Southwest Christian School High School.
Dal married his lifelong sweetheart, Joyce Vis on September 20, 1956, at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. The couple lived in Edgerton where Dal worked at the Edgerton Creamery and the Post Office. In 1962, they moved to Kenneth. Dal then began working at the Kenneth State Bank as a loan officer & insurance salesman. Dal and his friend, Don Van Nieuwenhuizen, helped each other build their houses in 1968 after working all day at the bank. In 1981, he helped start the Leota Branch Bank. After his retirement in 1998, Dal worked part time for Reading Bus Lines and Pipestone Livestock Auction. Dal & Joyce enjoyed wintering in Texas for the next five years. After he developed Alzheimer's, Joyce lovingly cared for him until he entered the Edgebrook Care Center on October 30, 2015, where he received excellent care.
He was a faithful member of Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Dal served on numerous boards most often as Treasurer. He served on the Kenneth Volunteer Fire Department and also on the Kenneth Town Council and worked for many improvements for the city of Kenneth. Dal had a heart for the farmers and the people he served. He was a generous giver to many charitable causes. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, gardening, fixing & tinkering, cars, playing Quiddler at the Kenneth Coffee Shop, feeding the birds & squirrels and helping his son-in-law on the farm. One of Dal's favorite things for summer family vacation was riding bike and staying at the Shetek Lodge.

Dal is survived by his wife of almost sixty years, Joyce Schelhaas, Kenneth; four children, Ava (Ron) Christians, Kenneth; Kirk (Karmen) Schelhaas, Worthington; Kristi Knutson, Magnolia; and Jay (Lisa) Schelhaas, Pella, IA; thirteen grandchildren, Marty (Beth), Lee (Dawn), Jordan (MacKenzie), Kyle (Karli), Kayla, Kaleb, Blair, Brooks (Kelsey), Klint, Alexis, Jasmin (fiancée, Caleb), Jackson and Levi; six great grandchildren, Madison, Reese, Liam, Karis, Brooklyn and Kennedy; brother, Bert Schelhaas, Leota; and four sisters, Mary (Howard) Van Essen, Edgerton; Jean (Milt) Schaap, Edgerton; Marcia (Dwayne) Bruns, Denver, CO; and Ruth (Myron) Spronk, Green Bay, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Beth; and a sister-in-law, Marie Schelhaas.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Monday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Funeral will be 10:30 am Tuesday at the Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church in Leota. Burial will be in the Leota Community Cemetery.
The Leota Burial Association and Dingmann Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.
To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit dingmannandsons.com

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