Dale Keith Gingerich, 87, of Carmel, Calif., formerly of Wellman, died Friday, May 27, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family. A private family burial will be held in Kalona, at the Sharon Hill Cemetery.
Dale Keith Gingerich was born Nov. 8, 1934, in rural Iowa County, Iowa, the son of Ralph and Gertrude (Miller) Gingerich. He attended rural country school through eighth grade. Dale was a member of Lower Deer Creek Church in his youth and served in Civilian Public Service (1-W) at a hospital in Evanston, Ill. It was there that he met Ruth Grimes, who was a volunteer at the hospital. Ruth and Dale were united in marriage on March 23, 1957, in Evanston, Ill.
The couple lived and farmed in the Kalona/Wellman area until 1984, when they moved to Carmel. He was a building contractor/cabinet maker and farmer in Iowa.
After moving to California, he owned and operated Monterey Mattress Company for over 30 years.
Dale loved spending time with his family and although miles separated them, he cherished the time and phone calls with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed working with his hands, a true craftsman, he was a problem solver, and loved sharing stories and his sense of humor.
In earlier years he enjoyed his trapping and farming and later enjoyed fishing. He was a hard-working man, compassionate, kind, and generous, always putting others before himself.
Survivors include his wife: Ruth of Carmel: and five children: Brian Gingerich (Nancy Bell) of Carmel, Jane (Darwin) Mesch of Delhi, Iowa, Barb (Keith) Schweitzer of Wellman, Joan (Glenn) Siders of North Liberty, and Grant Gingerich (Lucy Fuller) of Wellman; five grandchildren: Micaela Mesch, Jason Schweitzer, Cara Slaubaugh, Shannon Siders, and Cory Siders; and seven great-grandchildren: Lana, Carson, and Hannah Schweitzer, and Owen, Evan, Norah, and Dia Slaubaugh.
Preceding Dale in death were his parents; an infant daughter; a grandson: Nick Mesch; and three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Mildred (Emerson) Swartzendruber, Imogene Schlabaugh, and Shirley (Jim) Conrad.
