Dale J. Sylvester, 77, of Crookston, Minnesota, died early Tuesday morning, June 14, 2005, in the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he had been recovering from cardiac bypass and peripheral circulation surgery.

He was born in Crookston on August 3, 1927, the son of Edwin A. and Mary Berry Sylvester Sr. Dale grew up in Crookston, was baptized and confirmed in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and graduated from Cathedral High School as a member of the Class of 1946. He was first employed at Elk River Concrete of Crookston, and then of Crookston Milling. He later worked at the State Mill in Grand forks before entering the U. S. Army on October 24, 1950. During the time of the Korean War, Dale was stationed in Alaska, serving as a Quartermaster until his honorable discharge from active duty on October 23, 1952. He returned to Crookston and went to work once again at Crookston Milling. On February 16, 1963 Dale was united in marriage to Elaine Desrosier at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Crookston. Two children, Tim and Kathy, would be born to their union. In July of 1964 Dale left Crookston Milling and went to work for Dahlgren and Company. He was employed there for twenty eight years, working in several of the Company's departments, until his retirement in 1992. In semi retirement Dale worked at Leever's Super-Valu for a few years, but what he really enjoyed was taking care of lawns for several people in Crookston. He called mowing lawns his "therapy," and he was a fussy about how the years in his care looked as he was about keeping his cars in immaculate condition. Dale was a big fan of wrestling on television, and had also cheered on the Minnesota Twins and Vikings for years. What meant the most to Dale though was time spent with his family; whether it was sitting on the swing in the back yard with Elaine, vacations at the lake near Bemidji, Minnesota when the kids were small, or spoiling his grandkids, with them loving every minute of it. He will be very deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Dale leaves his wife and best friend of forty two years, Elaine; a son and daughter in law Tim and Jennie Sylvester of Grand Forks, North Dakota, a daughter and son in law, Kathy and Chris Luckow of Crookston, five grandchildren, Molllie, Sydney, and Spencer Lukow and "Master" Luke and Madi Sylvester; a brother, Edwin J. Sylvester of Crookston; two sisters, Arlette Wollin of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and Carol Provost of Richfield, Minnesota; and many nieces nephews, and other relatives. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Jeannie; and his brothers in law Jack Provost, Lloyd Wollin, and Frank Wollin.