Dale Lantz

Dale Dean Lantz, 74, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2007, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dale was born August 24, 1933, in Eureka Township, Adair County, Iowa, the son of Earl H. and Mildred M. (Taylor) Lantz. He attended country schools in Adair and Cass counties, graduating from Anita High School in 1951. In 1952 he joined the United States Air Force, serving in Germany and France. After his discharge, he served in the Air National Guard as a jet mechanic in Des Moines.

On May 18, 1957, Dale married Marcie M. Lee at St. Peter's Church in Des Moines.

Dale's love of farming brought the couple back to Anita, Iowa, in March of 1958 when Dale began to farm with his father. Dale continued farming until 1995. Dale's retirement years included his hobbies of woodworking, reading and travel.

Dale is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcie of Anita; three sons, Michael and his wife, Melissa of Odebolt, Mark of Fontanelle, Larry and his wife, Maureen Roach of Winterset; three daughters, Mari Kozdras and her husband, Dave of Saint Mary's, Georgia, Monica Ruse and her husband, Doug of Greenfield, Meredith Richter and her husband, Tim of Richmond Hill, Georgia; a sister, Laurel Hagen of Jefferson; a brother, David and his wife, Linda of Redfield; 18 grandchildren, Melissa Buckner and husband Jeff, Michelle Lantz, Elizabeth Wood and husband Travis, Lindsay, Marshall, Michael, Matthew Lantz and Libby Lawrence, Daniel, Rachel, and David Lantz, Mandi Lourcey and her husband Rod, Joshua Warrior and Nathan Carns, Tyler Lantz and Sydney Ruse, Kaden and Ashlyn Richter; nine great-grandchildren, Hunter, Karrigan, Angelica, Daniel, Anthony, Sydney, Josey, Mason, and Maddox.

He was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Mildred; brother, Leland; granddaughter, Brianna, and great-granddaughter, McKenzie.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 27, 2007, at the Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita with Deacon Fred Cornwell officiating. Visitation with the family is scheduled for Wednesday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A Scripture Prayer Service will begin at 7:30. Committal services and interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, followed by fellowship and lunch in the Parish Center at St. Mary's Church in Anita. Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita is in charge of the arrangements.

The family is requesting that memorials be given to the American Heart Association in Dale's honor.