Rochelle

Dale Warner Christopherson, age 88, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family on Sunday, June 18, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents; Warner and Edna Bessie (Sloggy) Christopherson, "Step-mom" Edna Mary Christopherson, his sister, Faith and grandson, Jason. He will be missed by all; his wife of 63 years Virginia Ruth Christopherson (nee Aylesworth), his sons, James, David (Julie), Jeffery (Indu) and Steven (Maria) Christopherson, his grandchildren, Ryan (Annie), Tyler (Lindsey), Rachel, Matthew, Peter, Andrew, Elizabeth (Gage), Katherine Christopherson and his three great-grandchildren, Alexander, Willow and Genevieve.

Dale was born on May 4, 1935 in Beloit, Wisconsin. The family moved to a home in South Beloit, Illinois where at the age of 4, Dale lost his mother to illness. Dale attended elementary school in South Beloit during which time his father, who served on the school board, married one of the teachers. Dale then had his "mom" as his 3rd grade teacher. As a child, Dale enjoyed building model airplanes and model train layouts. He continued to build model planes well into his 80's.  His interest in industrial arts began while attending South Beloit high school, where he graduated in 1953.

Dale received a Bachelor of Education degree from Northern Illinois University in 1957. It was there that he met his wife, Ginnie, at a square-dancing club. After graduation, Dale was happy to find his first teaching job in Rochelle while Ginnie finished her last two years at the university. In 1959, Dale and Ginnie bought a brand-new Rambler, to be used as a honeymoon car. They were married that same year. Dale also earned an MA degree in 1962.

Dale taught junior high industrial arts in Rochelle for 35 years, retiring in 1992. He began his career at Central School in Rochelle where he helped set up the woodwork shop. He thoroughly enjoyed his time teaching and encouraged both male and female students to take shop, a class that traditionally only boys were interested in. Oftentimes, former students would share with him how much they enjoyed his classes and how they still had the projects they made in class.

Dale and Ginnie enjoyed square and round dancing with friends and family. They loved to take their four boys camping during the summer months, and shortly after retiring, Dale was involved with the "Home for Everyone" building project. His hobbies were important to him and included antique cars, particularly the1959 Rambler, and building and flying model airplanes. Dale was the proud owner of four 1959 Rambler cars, one for each of his sons. He was a member of the DeKalb-Sycamore Vintage Car Club, AMC Rambler Club, and enjoyed going to car shows, cruise-ins and watching NASCAR races. In 1996, Dale was a torch runner in the Olympics.

Dale was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle for over 60 years, serving as an elder and a deacon over the years. He is a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be remembered as a kind, hardworking man who dearly loved his wife and family. He will be dearly missed.

The visitation will be from 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Friday, June 30, 2023 at the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Calvin Road, Rochelle.  The funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon at the church with Pastor Todd Ackland officiating.  Burial is at Lawnridge Cemetery in Rochelle.  Memorials may be made in Dale's memory to the American Cancer Society.  Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.