Dale Dean Bauer, 84, of Fertile, MN and Kountze, TX, died on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Sanford Hospital Fargo, ND. Dale was born on May 17, 1933, in Randolph, NE, the son of Edwin and Pearl (Martindale) Bauer. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Nebraska.

Dale attended country school in Wayne County, NE through eighth grade. At that time, he had to quit school to work on the family farm and help support his family. Later, Dale received his high school GED. Dale joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged on December 14, 1955. After his discharge, he worked for a beekeeper in Colton, CA (Miller Honey Company) and Randolph, NE (Kuhl Apiary). This is where he first developed his love for beekeeping.

In 1957, Dale and Ivo Leiting came to Fertile and leased Parent Honey Company. In 1959, they bought the company and Dale and Ivo formed a partnership. They continued that partnership for ten years. Dale then started his own company, Bauer Honey, and a few years later added Selby Honey, Bauer Bee Feed and Supply, and Bauer Honey McClusky, North Dakota. He officially retired 22 years ago but still never missed a day coming out to the shop to help and give advice. During his beekeeping career, he bought out several other beekeeping businesses. His bees were located in Northwest Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Mississippi, and Texas. He held many positions in the beekeeping industry. They include President of Minnesota Honey Producers, Director of Sioux Bee Honey Association for 23 years, and served as Vice Chair of Sioux Honey for 14 years. Dale was elected to the National Honey Board where he was the only one who has ever held three appointments on the board. He held the appointments as producer, cooperative, and importer.

Dale was also involved in his community. He served on the City Council, Fertile Fire Department, Airport Commission, and Fair Meadow Nursing Home Board, as well as a member of the Fertile American Legion Post.. He was also a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Dale had many side businesses. Those include raising cattle, partnership with Golden Egg Farm, dealer of Swinger Forklift, trailer home dealer, building West Side Trailer Court, selling corn syrup to beekeepers, building Northwest Housing of Fertile with Sheldon Bolstad, and having a partnership with D&B International and was in a partnership with Bee Excellent. He also had a long business partnership in owning Northwestern State Bank in Hallock. Dale served as director of Northwestern State Bank and was Vice President of Nortkitt Corporation. In 2005, Dale received the Sioux Honey pioneer award and in 2013 he was named Minnesota beekeeper of the year. Over the years Dale helped numerous people in the community. He did this generously and silently.

In 1959, Dale met Lois Haugen and they were married on June 2, 1962 at Concordia Lutheran Church. They had three children, Daniel, Tammie, and Jodi. Over 50 years, they raised their family in Fertile, Minnesota and Kountze, Texas. Through the years he also had a passionate hobby of flying his airplane, and enjoyed his lunch breaks with his coffee buddies at Northside.

Dale is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois, Daniel (Rochelle), Tammie (Brad) Campbell, Jodi (Darren) Straus, all of Fertile; six grandchildren, Hannah and Lindsay Campbell, Isaiah and Dominic Bauer, Parker and Isabelle Straus, two brothers, Don (Helen); Arnold (Bev), and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Alex Bauer; 3 sisters, Darlene Bermel, Margie and Phyllis; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fertile, MN.

Visitation: 5-7 PM Monday, June 12, 2017, at the church.

Burial: Concordia Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, MN.