Dale Parenteau

Dale Parenteau (88) peacefully passed away in his home on May 17, 2026, while listening to his favorite music, by the legendary Merle Haggard. He was surrounded by family until the very end, as a cherished husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.

Dale was born April 2, 1938, to Louis and Florence (Morinville) Parenteau, in his family home in Brooks,MN, where he enjoyed the first decade of his childhood. Memories of the family cheese factory,horseback riding on family farms, and one-room schoolhouse boyhood adventures stayed sharp in his memory. The family relocated to Thompson, ND where his parents owned a bar. All of the childhood stories told and retold by Dale included similar elements of boyhood mischief and having a good time with cousins and siblings. He could always be counted on for a laugh. 

At age 17, Dale entered the Navy for a 4-year enlistment (1955-59). He went on to tend the family bar, go to computer programming school (working in that field a short while), and settle in a long-standing career as a successful car salesman/manager and auctioneer over the next more than 40 years. His reputation for honesty in his field was well-known; he could always be counted on to find a reliable vehicle at a fair price!

Dale’s love of horses was fulfilled with his wife in their breeding, showing and riding Arabian horses for 30 years. The only thing Dale loved more than riding horses was riding his Harley Davidson, which, in the latter years of his life, became his favorite pastime. 

A dynamic man of many interests, Dale was always up for a fun time! Wherever music was involved, he wanted to be there; and if it had a good beat, he could never sit still. Dale loved to laugh, and never knew a stranger; his friendliness made everyone feel welcome in his presence. It was a real gift to have him for a friend. His humor and good attitude endured until the very end.

Dale was a dedicated member of Christian Motorcycle Association since 1995, and a member of Restoration church, Rush City, MN. His Christian faith was of utmost importance to him. His belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and personal relationship with Him, shaped and even transformed his life, as a husband, father, grandfather and man.

Dale is survived by: his wife (of just 2 weeks shy of 50 years!) Linda; his sons, Kevin (Carri), Rodney (Anita), Terrance (Melissa), Timothy (Ashley), Joel (Elizabeth); his daughters, Audra (Mike) Enos, Jacqueline (Wells) Samuel; his grandchildren, Melissa Evans, Scott, Mary, Stephanie Rehbine, Justin, Ashley Berg, Mercedes Trimble, London Boylan, Rocky Enos, Steel Enos, Silas, Jamison, Maebelle, Leyna Samuel, Eliette Samuel, Darla Samuel, Wade Samuel, Brooks and Brielle; several great grandchildren; his sisters, JoAnn Riewer of Omaha, NE, Joyce (Gerry) Nefs of Grand Forks, ND, and Kay (Len) Lasman of Minneapolis.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Florence (Morinville) Parenteau, brother-in-law Donald Riewer and one granddaughter, Evelyn Samuel.

Funeral services will be held 2:00PM, with a gathering the hour prior, May 29, 2026 at Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City.

In lieu of flowers; memorials may be directed to: Christian Motorcycle Association; P.O. Box 9 Hatfield, AK or Restoration Church; 260 West Third St. Rush City, MN 55069

www.FuneralAndCremationService.com