Dale F. Durbin

January 14, 1926 - October 15, 2016

Dale Francis Durbin, son of James and Dagmar Andresen Durbin, was born January 14, 1926 in Audubon County, Iowa, and died on October 15, 2016 in Jefferson, Iowa, at the age of 90. Dale grew up with 18 brothers and sisters on a farm in Guthrie County, near Coon Rapids, Iowa. He attended grade school at County School Orange III in Guthrie County, and he attended high school in Coon Rapids. He served in the United States Army as a T4 ordinance mechanic in Korea during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946. In 2014, he went on the honor flight to Washington D.C. to commemorate his service. On June 14, 1949, he was united in marriage to Bethene Ankenbauer. They moved near Coon Rapids, and he worked for Garst Company until 1952, when he began farming near Jamaica. He farmed there for 4 years, and then in Lohrville for 4 years, before moving to Greene County, where he farmed and raised cattle and hogs for 32 more years. Dale and Bethene had two children together, Deborah Jean Durbin (Rucker) and Alan Dwayne Durbin. Bethene died on June 24, 1984. Dale married Helen Stine on November 2, 1985, and they made a home in Jefferson. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards with many friends and family, and most of all, joking and teasing with all of his grand and great-grandchildren. Dale was a 4-H leader of the Greene County Hardin Township, served on the board of Lakeside golf club and the Greene County Extension Council, a member of American Legion, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Jefferson. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, wives: Bethene and Helen, 8 brothers, 5 sisters, and 1 step-grandson. He is survived by his two children: Deborah (David) Rucker of Oklahoma City, OK and Alan Durbin of Jefferson, IA; his four step-children: Diane (Loren) Shriver of Estes Park, CO, Daryl (Sherris) Hane of Cameron, MO, Sally Kendrick of Des Moines, IA, and Charles (Caryn) Hane of Jefferson, IA; brother Gary (Betty) Durbin of Bayard, IA; 4 sisters: Elenor Olson of Fairmont, MN, Carolyn (Dick) Lanning of Trenton, MO, Martha (Merrill) Cady of Sac City, IA, and Deanna Firebaugh of Pottsboro, TX; 2 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 15 great step-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Funeral Services for Dale Durbin, 90, of Jefferson will be 10:30 am Friday, October 21, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson. Visitation will be after 11:00 am Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Interment will be at Orange Township Cemetery, Guthrie County, Iowa. Memorials are suggested to Congregate Meals or the First United Methodist Church.