Dale

Ellison

Dale Lavern Ellison, 92, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2026, at Sanford Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family.

Services will be held on Friday, November 13, at 2 p.m., at Eastgate Funeral Services, 3117 E Century Ave Bismarck, ND.

Dale was born on September 29, 1934, to Alfred and Lillian Ellison and was born and raised in the small prairie town of Noonan, North Dakota. Growing up in a one-room schoolhouse on the North Dakota prairie taught him the values of hard work, resilience, and community that would guide him throughout his life. He graduated from Noonan High School in 1952.

Immediately following high school, Dale proudly enlisted in the United States Navy. He served two years during peacetime and was stationed in San Diego, California. Following his military service, he returned to North Dakota, married, and later spent time living in Montana before returning to the Noonan area, where he built a life centered around family, friendship, and hard work.

Dale worked at the local coal mine near Noonan for nearly 20 years before retiring at the young age of 55. Retirement, however, did not slow him down. Over the years, he continued working for the City of Noonan, the Town and Country Bar, the Noonan Bowling Alley, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Whether on the job or volunteering his time, Dale was always willing to lend a helping hand and could often be found fixing, building, or improving something.

In 1978, Dale met the love of his life, Barbara "Barb" Managold. They were married on February 12, 1979, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. They were married for over 47 years. Together they built not only homes through Dale's self-taught carpentry skills and house-flipping projects, but also a warm and welcoming home where family always came first.

Dale had many hobbies and interests that brought him joy throughout his life. He loved fishing, pitching horseshoes, and spending time outdoors. He enjoyed playing cribbage, pinochle, and solitaire, and could often be found working on puzzles, completing word searches, reading western novels, or watching western movies and television game shows. In later years, he and Barb enjoyed playing tennis together and creating memories with their growing family.

More than anything, Dale treasured time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His quiet strength, steady presence, and genuine love made him the foundation of his family. The home Dale and Barb created was a place of laughter, comfort, and unconditional love where everyone was always welcome.

Dale is survived by his loving wife, Barb Ellison of Bismarck; his children, Cindy (Sheldon) Hallgren of Mandan, Terri Lacher of Williston, Steve (Kim) Ellison of Bismarck, and Chris (Brandi) Ellison of Bismarck; and his stepchildren, Pattie (Terry) Moore of North Carolina, James Hill of Noonan, and Helen (Wade) Spooner of West Fargo. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Eveyln Ellison and Kathy Bossingham.

He was also blessed with 16 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom brought him tremendous pride and joy.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Lillian Ellison and mother-in-law and stepfather in law Ruth and Vigo Rasmusson. He is also preceded in death by his siblings; Trudy Short, Arlene Easton, Alfred Ellison, James (Jim) Ellison, Engwald Ellison, Robert (Bob) Ellison; his brothers-in-law, Michael Managold and Charlie Managold; sister-in-law, Rita Davis; and son-in-law, Dan Lacher.

Dale's life was a testament to hard work, faith, humility, and devotion to family. He never sought attention or recognition, yet his kindness, generosity, and steady example left a lasting impact on everyone who was fortunate enough to know him. He built much more than houses during his lifetime. He built friendships, memories, traditions, and a family rooted in love.

Though his family will deeply miss his stories, his smile, his card games, and the comfort of his presence, they find peace knowing that his legacy lives on through the generations he loved so dearly. Dale's hands built many things over the years, but his greatest accomplishment was the family he cherished and the love he gave so freely.

Forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.