Dale Fredrick Glawatz Aug. 10, 1947 – March 22, 2025

      Encompassed by his faith and family, the Lord called home Reverend Dale Fredrick Glawatz. Dale passed away peacefully at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics on March 22, 2025, having attained the age of 77 years old.

    Elmer and Esther Glawatz welcomed the middle of their three boys on Aug. 10, 1947, in Deshler, Neb. Dale graduated from Deshler Public Schools with the class of 1965. Prior to graduation, he had enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The summer of 1965, he attended basic training with a specialty in electricity.  Dale’s military service saw him in Vietnam on the destroyer ship U.S.S. Hanson. During his tour on the destroyer, he specialized in electrical repairing, which earned him the nickname “Sparky.” Dale was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1968.

    Upon his return to Nebraska, Dale attended Milford Tech School to study welding. During this time, on a blind date that never ended, he met the love of his life Gloria Morris. The couple wed on April 19, 1969. Dale and Gloria resided in Deshler, Neb. where Dale found employment for the Kansas/Nebraska Pipeline, followed by Reinke Manufacturing (during which their children Beth and Jeremy were born), and lastly Nebraska Public Power.

    Throughout this time, Dale continued to grow and strengthen his faith in God. In 1981, he felt called to attend Concordia College in Seward, Neb. His mild temperament made for an easy transformation from welder to pastor.

    Dale completed his ministery studies at Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., graduating as a servant of the Lord in 1988.
Dale served as Pastor from 1988-1997 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Monticello, Iowa. He then continued his service to the Lord at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Guthrie Center, Iowa; followed by a call to Faith Lutheran Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark.. Dale last served at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Garner, Iowa. He retired from full-time stewardship to part-time pastoral vacancies in 2012, at which time Gloria and he returned to Monticello to be close to their family.          Cherishing his memory is his beloved bride of 54 years, Gloria; children, Beth (Jeff) Cruise of Scotch Grove, and Jeremy (Andrea) Glawatz of Monticello; grandchildren, Taylor (Kirk) Atwater, Caitlyn, Cole, Carter (fiancée Caroline Collet) Cruise; Keagan, Ella, Jensen, and Zane Glawatz; great-grandchild Bailey Atwater; brother, Bill (Nancy) Glawatz of Indianapolis, Ind.; sister-in-law Sharon Glawatz of Lincoln, Neb.; as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

    Dale is reunited with his parents Elmer and Ester Glawatz; brother Roger Glawatz; and son Dale Fredrick Glawatz II; as well as family who have joined the Lord before him.

    Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Monticello with interment in Oakwood Cemetery with Navy Honors. Friends called from 4 until 8 p.m. Friday at Goettsch Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hour or St. Louis Seminary- Mission Central.

    Thoughts,  memories and condolences may be left atwww.goettschonline.com.

    To truly know Dale is to know him as a humble servant of Christ. He was fiercely loyal and loving to his wife, and elevated the standard of how a husband and father should live. He enveloped his grandchildren and great-grandchild with his ever-present love. Dale was a revered and gentle soul, a virtuous man who lived life with integrity. His baritone voice and calming demeanor resonated honor and dignity in his pastoral profession, in which he was profoundly a man of the Lord. Reverend Dale Fredrick Glawatz abided by the 23rd Psalm as a good Shepherd, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

    “God will provide in all Cases”

    No words will express how much you will be missed.  You are a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and servant of the Lord.  We will see you again in the Presence of God.

    “Loves You”