Rita Dale
Rita M. Dale, 76, died Nov. 24, 2010, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. She was born May 5, 1934, in Sault Ste. Marie to Orval and Delphine Dietz.
She attended St. Mary’s Elementary and Loretto High School, graduating in 1952, and studied political science at Lake Superior State University. On Oct. 19, 1957, she married William D. Dale. She was a lifelong resident of Sault Ste. Marie and worked, served and volunteered in many positions and offices until her death.
Rita was a talented artist, avid birdwatcher and nature lover. She especially enjoyed family outings, nature, and picnics along the beach. She cherished her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She was a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
She was a member and past president of the Chippewa County Democratic Party. She served multiple terms as a Chippewa County Commissioner and on the Upper Peninsula Board of County Commissioners.
At the time of her death she was serving on the War Memorial Hospital Board as the Board Secretary and Finance and Quality Assurance Chairperson, Community Care Clinic Board Chairperson, and was a member of the Dialysis Board. She was co-chair of several annual Hospital Auxiliary flea markets and she also served on the Chippewa County Health Department Board and the Osborn Trust Management Board.
At various times, she served on the Sault Ste. Marie Historical Development Committee, Bayliss Public Library Board, Community Action Board, Board of Canvassers, Block Grant Board (CDGB), State of Michigan Community Corrections Board, Director of Numerators for the U.S. Census Bureau and the Eastern Upper Peninsula Mental Health Board.
Throughout her life Rita volunteered for many causes, including Washington School PTA, Sault Area High School Band Boosters, Hiawatha Skating Club, St. Joseph’s Thrift Shoppe, Alberta House, Friends of Bayliss Library, WMH Auxiliary, Campfire Girls, United Way, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, American Cancer Society, Sault Area Sports Boosters, Habitat for Humanity, Chippewa County Triad, and JKL Bahweting School PAC.
Rita is survived by her children, Jennifer Dale-Burton and son-in-law Mike Burton of Bay Mills, Jane Dale-Palermo, Carolyn Dale and son-in-law Eric Gadzinski, all of Sault Ste. Marie; five grandchildren, Kirsten Hoover of Tampa, Fla., Jamie Hoover of Clinton Twp., Mich., and Todd Theel, Tyler Theel and Travis Theel, all of Sault Ste. Marie; three sisters, Lisa Dietz and Barbara Dietz, both of Sault Ste. Marie, and Leah VanAman of Sandusky, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her life-long friend, Dolores Swick, and her beloved pets.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Bill); three brothers, Alvin “Sonny” Dietz, Orval Jr. and Billy; and two sisters, Mary Lou Poole and Betty Clark.
Visitation will be held at Hovie Funeral Home on Tuesday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie with Father Peter Zaczynski as Celebrant. A luncheon will follow at the Christopher Columbus Hall at noon. Memorial contributions to the care and comfort of chemotherapy patients at War Memorial Hospital are welcome.
