February 24, 1946 - September 10, 2021
With great sadness we say goodbye to a wonderful man, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Dale Joseph Hatala, affectionately known as "Speed," of Rimbey, Alberta passed away suddenly at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre on Friday, September 10, 2021 at the age of 75 years, after a long struggle with personal health issues.
Dale was born in Lacombe, Alberta on February 24, 1946 to Joseph Paul and Agnes (nee Olson) Hatala. He grew up in Crestomere, and in 1962 his parents moved the family to a farm 2 ¼ miles west of Rimbey.
Love struck Dale in 1965 when he met Linda Hawkings, and they were united in marriage on March 18, 1966. They resided in Rimbey for a short time before moving to the Leedale area in 1969, where they farmed and milked cows. In 1974, Dale and Linda bought and built the dairy farm located 2 ½ miles west of Rimbey where they milked cows, raised cattle, and grain/hay farmed for almost 20 years.
In 1994, they sold the operation and relocated to the original family farm 2 ¼ miles west of Rimbey, where they currently reside. Dale was a man of character, and a jack-of-all-trades. He was a mechanic, a body man, and worked on the oil rigs. He had a water-drilling company, a welding company, and a corral-cleaning company.
Dale was a dairy farmer, a grain and beef farmer, and even did a little bale hauling. He owned a welding truck, was forever a car salesman, and was - most definitely - a professional bullshitter! He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Dale loved his family and friends.
The coffee was always on ... and you were always welcome.
Dale will be forever remembered by his best friend, partner, and wife of 56 years, Linda; and his children: Tracey (Tom) Gardner, Shawn Hatala, and Tammy (Chad) Holmes. He will also be lovingly remembered by his five cherished grandkids: Danielle (JR - as Dale called him), Riley (Erin), Josh (Sam), Alena (Stu) and Baby Brinley; as well as six precious great grandkids: Hunter, Jacob, Faith, Chase, Bryer, and Waylon.
Dale is also survived by many other family members and friends that he cared deeply for.
He was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Agnes; his brother, David; a brother-in-law, Jack; and his in-laws, Duke and Helen Hawkings.
A Celebration of Dale's Life was held outdoors at the home of Tammy and Chad Holmes (Blue Sign #424039, Range Road 3-1), west of Rimbey on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Al Lewis and Reverend Wayne McCrackin officiating.
Interment will take place at a later date at the West Haven Cemetery, Rimbey. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Dale's memory may be made directly to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca); or to the Intensive Care Unit, c/o Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, 3942 - 50A Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 4E7 (www.rdrhfoundation.com).
Condolence messages may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.ofc-ltd.ca
Cremation Arrangements for the Late Dale "Speed" Joseph Hatala entrusted to the care of Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.