Dale Palmer Figgins

Dale Palmer Figgins, 92, of State Center, died Monday, March 17, at the State Center Manor. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in State Center with Reverend Everett Hemann officiating. Burial will be in St. Josephs Cemetery in State Center with military honors by the State Center American Legion Harlan G. Pfantz Post #122. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 p.m. Sunday at St. Josephs Church with a Scripture service at 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lincoln Valley Golf Course. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home West Marshall Chapel in State Center is caring for Dale and his family. Ph 641-483-2900. Born on March 28, 1915, in rural State Center, Dale was the son of James and Florence Riemenschneider Figgins. After moving to town in 1924, Dale graduated from State Center High School in 1932. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1936, serving four years. In 1941, he was appointed as a Railway Postal Clerk, working out of the Chicago Post Office. When World War II was declared, he reenlisted in the Navy, serving in the Solomon Islands in the Southwest Pacific from 1941 to 1945. Dale and Rita Malloy were married in Bremerton, Washington, on February 19th, 1945, returning to State Center when the war ended. From 1945 1953, he was a mail clerk on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. On May 4, 1953, he transferred to a Rural Letter Carrier position in State Center, working the north and south routes for 25 years. Dale retired from the postal service on May 31, 1978. He also farmed, raised cattle, hogs and chinchillas. His hobbies included golf, playing cards, and enjoying family and friends. An avid sports fan, Dale was active in the West Marshall Boosters Club and for many years emceed the annual Wrestling Banquet. He was President of the State Center Community Club, a charter member of Lincoln Valley Golf Association, a member of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Iowa Rural Mail Carriers Association, Senior Citizens and NARFE. For many years, he served as commander and also chaplain of the American Legion Harlan G. Pfantz Post #122. At St. Josephs Church, he served on the Parish Council and was a lector. Survivors include Rita, his wife of 63 years, a son James (Nancy) Figgins of State Center, daughters Jill (Thomas E.) Rastrelli of Garland, Texas, Julie (Lee) Ketelsen of Parkville, Missouri, and Janet (Craig) Arjes of Hopkinton; twelve grandchildren: Jennifer (Michael) Seymour of St. Cloud, France, Thomas P. Rastrelli of Los Angeles, California, Maria (Gabriel) Spencer of Stevenson, Washington, Jeffrey Rastrelli of Poway, California, Michael (Kelly) Ketelsen of San Clemente, California, Kathleen Ketelsen of Kansas City, Missouri, Patrick Ketelsen of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Joel Figgins of Des Moines, Jason Figgins of Dubuque, Holly (John) Burbridge of Delhi, Daniel (Kate) Arjes of Carroll, Heidi Arjes of Indianola; four great-grandchildren: Lukas and Markus Seymour and Isabella and Sofia Spencer. Preceding him in death were his parents, three sisters: Mary Louise Figgins, Dorothy Ahrendt, Doris Schaper, and one brother Richard.