Dale W. Cates of Kingston died Monday, May 31, 2004, at the Cokato Manor Nursing Home. He was 74.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 4, at the Kimball United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael Nelson officiating. Interment followed in the Kimball Cemetery. Friends called Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel, and Friday one hour prior to the service at the church in Kimball.
Dale William Cates was born June 29, 1929, at home in Kingston, to Dean and Dora (Lenz) Cates. He was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingston. He grew up in the Kingston area where he attended District #16 for his schooling. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1947. Dale was the 1946 and 1947 Minnesota State High School Wrestling Champion. Dale was united in marriage to Lila Jean Almquist April 1, 1950, in Minneapolis. Together they farmed and raised their six children on their farm near Kingston. In 1967, Dale sold the cows and went to work in the Twin Cities as a 49er in construction. Dale was a referee for the state wrestling tournament and a wrestling referee for surrounding schools. Dale was a charter member of the Kingston Lions Club. Dale founded the Cates Campground in 1973. He loved to dance, fish, garden and spend time with his family and friends near a bonfire while camping. The friends and memories that were made over the years will always be remembered.
Dale was preceded in death by his son Robin May 31, 1999, and by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Lila of Kingston; children: Kim (and Maxine) Cates of Kingston, Mike (and Julie) Cates of Kingston, Kristi (and Robert) Taina of Dassel, Karen (and Ron) Rasmussen of Kingston, Perry (and Christine) Cates of Atwater; 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Jody Cates of Annandale; brothers Dean (and Florence) Cates of Faribault, Wallace (and Erica) Cates of Medina, and Gordon (and Bonnie) Cates of Faribault; and sister Vivian (and Richard) Wright of Ridgecrest, Calif.
Casket bearers were Jeremy Cates, Chad Cates, Andy Taina, Dale Cates, Paul Cates, Shane Taina, Jedidiah Cates, Tayler Cates and Rory Rasmussen. Honorary bearers were Angie Krueger, Samara Cates, Heather Taina, Kara Rasmussen, Melissa Granlund, and Emily Cates. Krista Cates served as pianist.
