Dale Merton Bickle
July 05, 1924 - November 13, 2015
Obituary
MADISON–Dale M. Bickle, age 91, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. He was born on July 5, 1924, in Milwaukee, the son of Clair O. and Bona (Gooch) Bickle. Dale married Ardys Rasmussen on Feb. 13, 1949, in Fond du Lac. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII from 1943-1946. Dale came to Madison and worked for Kayser Ford in 1950, and in 1952, moved to electrical trades. He became a master electrician for Advance Electric, followed by Rom Electric, Endres Electric and L&L Electric. Dale worked for Madison Newspapers and later for University of Wisconsin Hospitals until his retirement in 1989. He was a member of Bashford Methodist Church since 1952, Zor Shrine where he served as director of staff, Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite Bodies. Dale enjoyed gardening and tending to his apple orchard. He was a general fix it man. Dale is survived by his friend, Jayne Sprecher; step-daughter, Nan (Doug) Diedrick; grandchildren, Kim (Dan) Gannon, Lori (Charles) Einbeck, Michelle (Rodney) Duke and Jan Hilliard; great-grandchildren, Dawn DiBernardo, Brandon Hilliard, Kelly Einbeck, and Robbie Einbeck; great-great-grandchildren, Devon and Race; brothers, David (Mary) and Delton Bickle; and sisters, Leora Stavn and Lois Lucy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ardys in 2000; brothers, Donald and Dean Bickle; sister, Bona Deegan and great-granddaughter, Karen Ann Einbeck. Funeral services will be held at BASHFORD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 329 North Street, Madison at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison on Sunday, Nov. 22,2015, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. and also at the church on Monday from 9;30 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be held at Evansville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Events
Service
Mon Nov 23, 2015 @ 11:00 AM CDT
Bashford United Methodist Church (Madison) • 329 North Street, Madison, WI 53704
Photos
No photos of Dale have been shared yet.
Memories
DN
Dave Neuenschwander
Other •
To Dale's family and to Jayne: I was so very saddened to hear of Dale's unexpected passing, and I extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to you. I don't know exactly how far back my family and Dale connected with each other, but I do know it was far longer than my knowing him personally. Dale owned an apartment building on Jenifer Street in Madison, at the opposite end of the block where my family business (Hans' Sewing Center on Williamson Street) was located. My own connection with Dale started when I joined the family business in the early 1980's. Dale would stop by quite often, and would drop off flowers (especially Gladiolus, which I forevermore will associate with Dale whenever I see them), as well as plenty of various seasonal fresh vegetables directly from his garden. And along with every visit, the icing on the cake was having Dale spend time with us back in our service shop and delivering jokes - lots of jokes. I was always amazed how he could remember and deliver them effortlessly, one after the other. Some hilarious, some just plain corny, but all worthy of a hearty laugh! Dale was also quick to offer help whenever he recognized he could provide it, even if he wasn't specifically asked for it. After our store closed in 2008, Dale and I remained connected, and I was always thrilled and thankful to be able to spend time together shooting the breeze and catching up whenever he would bring me a sewing machine or a vacuum cleaner that wasn't working right. Perhaps, one of the greatest things I ever did over the course of the past few years was to make it a point at the end of each visit to give him a hug and to tell him I loved. He reciprocated. I will miss him tremendously, as I'm certain all of you who knew him will. Rest in peace my friend...
LD
Linda Duller
Other •
I am so glad I had chance to talk to my Uncle Dale at my mother's 90th birthday celebration on November 7th. He looked great and was looking forward to going to Arizona for the winter. I was telling him how I enjoyed staying with him and Ardys during my youth. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
MD
Michelle Duke
Other •
Avid gardener, full of jokes... some of what I think about when I think of you. RIP grandpa.
ED
Eileen Dresser
Other •
Sympathies to the family. I visited with him many times when his wife, Ardice, was in my Assisted Living facility. Very pleasant gentle man. Condolences Nan,
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Lynne Bischel
Other •
Dale was my landlord from 1985 - 1990 on Vera Court. I can remember whenever he had someone looking at an apartment, he would always ask if they could look at our place because it was always clean. We also got to know Ardys during that time too and enjoyed the both of them very much.
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Kristi De Noma
Other •
My favorite memory of Dale is the morning he left flowers on my car. As I routinely got in my car to leave for work, there were beautiful lilies from Dale's garden. Having Dale as a neighbor always made me feel safe and secure, not to mention entertained!! We will miss this wonderful man!!