Dale Howard Knotek, age 90, died Sunday evening, March 22, 2026. He was born to Charles and Gladys Knotek on April 4, 1935, in Ravenna, Nebraska. He lived a short time in Central City, but all his years of school K-12 were spent in Holdrege, Nebraska. He graduated from HHS in 1953. He participated in HHS basketball and track, setting the Nebraska state H.S. high jump record in 1953 which stood for many years. He enrolled at the University of Nerbaska Lincoln, participating in track there as well. Dale loved to tell the story of having to jump against Wilt Chamberlain, who was enrolled at the University of Kansas at that time. Dale graduated from UNL with a degree in Psychology/Personnel Management in 1958.
Dale served the required military service at that time at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and Ft. Lee, Virginia, followed by years in Army Reserves, mustering out in 1964.
He married Mary Ann Thompson of Sterling, Nebraska in 1959 and they raised a family of four children: Jeffrey (Staci) Timothy (Crystal), Leah (David), and William Ladd (Katherine).
Dale began his working career at Zion Lutheran Church in Rockford, Illinois as Youth Director for four years, followed by four years at the University of North Dakota Lutheran Center as associate to the Lutheran Campus Pastor. While working at UND, he procured his Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. When the University of Minnesota Crookston opened, Dale was hired as Student Activities Director, taught a psychology class, and was registrar for a short period of time. He worked at UMC for thirty years with wonderful staff and administrators, retiring in 1996. Through the years, Dale took many courses from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and was a Synod Authorized Minister (SAM), serving as a temporary pastoral replacement for vacant parishes in the Red River Valley (NW Minnesota Synod).
Dale was an avid cross-country skier and helped build and maintain several C.C. trails in the area. He was a member of the Crookston Bikers Association and swam laps at the community pool every day possible. He enjoyed spending time up at the cabin at Union Lake. When he was forced to enter the Villa St. Vincent Benedictine Living Community in the fall of 2023 because of emergency health issues, Dale was physically fit, had a thick head of hair, and all of his teeth! (This was still true until the day he died).
Dale was a member of Crookston Lions and served on many of their committees, also taking his turn as President. He was active on many Crookston community boards and committees, including Habitat for Humanity where he served as chair for many years. He and Mary Ann have been members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston since 1967 and he has been chairman of the Board of Deacons and on numerous committees.
Dale was preceded in death by grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, and several cousins. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary ann, four children and their spouses: Jeff (Staci), Tim (Crystal), Leah Ellefson (Dave) and W. Ladd (Katie), nine grandchildren: Alissa Brandvold (Trevor), Jake Knotek (Jenna), Lexi Olschlager (Ty), Jaxon Knotek, Tyler Ellefson (Tessa), Samuel Ellefson (Kaylee), Brittney Ellefson, Derek Knotek, and Dylan Knotek. Ten Great-Grandchildren: Izraya Brandvold, Abel Brandvold, Siloam Brandvold, Sequoia Brandvold, Aviella Olschlager, Owen Olschlager, Rowe Olschlager, Cal Ellefson, Adalaigh Knotek, and Nevaeh Knotek.
Dale was proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and will be missed by his wife and family.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in June of 2026. Service details will be available at a later date.
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