Dale A. Ericson, age 83 of Gibbon, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Buffalo Lake HealthCare Center with his loving wife, Pat, by his side.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Gibbon and will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

To leave an online condolence for his family or sign the guestbook, visit mvfh.org.

Dale Arling Ericson was born November 20, 1942 to Ernest Arling and Esther (Johnson) Ericson. He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1960 and worked as a journalist at the Winthrop News. He continued his education at Mankato State College; graduating with degrees in English and Journalism. Dale and Patricia Monson were married December 15, 1973.

As an educator, Dale influenced the lives of many students at Winthrop High School and GFW for 18 years. Dale was also a college technical consultant in the Fargo and Mankato areas and an adjunct instructor in Mass Communications at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

For 16 years Dale served as an ITV Executive Director, building the interactive video fiber optic network connecting state universities and state colleges within Southern Minnesota. In retirement, he continued to work as a Telecommunications Consultant. Dale spent 45 years in law enforcement as a full-time and part-time officer.

Dale was a member of the 452nd Army Reserve Unit out of Winthrop; in 1968 the unit was activated and sent to Viet Nam. After spending 22 years in the Reserve, Dale retired in 2002 as a Sergeant First Class. After his retirement, Dale was an ombudsman for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). He was always proud of his service to his country.

His faith and music were especially important to Dale. He enjoyed singing with the church choir, Gospel Heirs and Mankato Riverblenders Chorus.

Beyond his professional life, Dale found joy in canoeing, trips to the Boundary Waters, photography, writing short stories, reading Science Fiction, watching old TV westerns, playing guitar, listening to music, mowing roadsides, achieving a brown belt in Judo and family pets.

Dale was thrilled to have been on stage with the Winthrop Community Theater. His most memorable role was portraying Scrooge in the production of A Christmas Carol.

In retirement, Dale and Pat enjoyed traveling, attending theater and music events and simply spending time together,

The family is deeply grateful to the caring staff at the Buffalo Lake HealthCare Center and Allina Health Hospice for their kindness, love and support of Dale.

Dale is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Pat, of 52 years, brother Darryl Ericson and his wife Cheryl, niece Brenda Anderson and her husband Robert, niece Tammy Bilyk and her husband Mark, great nephew Jacob Ericson, niece Pamela Kiecker Royal, nephew David Kiecker and nephew Mark Kiecker and his wife Denise along with cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Esther Ericson, parents-in-law Elmer Monson and Evelyn Monson Evenson and sister-in-law Marion Monson Kiecker and many relatives.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Dollars for Scholars Dale and Pat Fine Arts Scholarship or a charity of your choice.