Dale Merton Bickle

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...

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.

Avid gardener, full of jokes... some of what I think about when I think of you. RIP grandpa.

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,

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.