Dale Vern Fetchenhier

Dale Vern Fetchenhier was born on July 15, 1933, in Waseca, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm near Waldorf, Minnesota. He loved living and working on the farm and still enjoyed telling stories of his adventures and work there. They raised corn, soybeans and peas, selling their crops to the Bird’s Eye Company. He was especially proud that as a teenager, he was asked by them to supervise and run a combine at harvest. 

Elementary and high school education were completed in Waldorf, MN graduating in 1950. Dale served in leadership positions in athletics and in school. He was the president of his Senior Class. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, 1954. Other education was the Executive Education Program for Gas Industry at the University of Colorado, 1974, and Edison Electric Institute Executive Management Program in Hershey, Pennsylvania, 1987. 

Dale is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy), son Scott, and granddaughters, Katheryn and Kellein (Cameron), and great-granddaughters, Ava, Saoirse and Rudie. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jean Marilyn Gouget, and son, Jeffrey Joel Fetchenhier. 

Serving in the US Army (1955-57), Dale was commended by his superiors: “Your cooperation, loyalty and eagerness to achieve results make you a valuable member in the administrative field. Your superiors have expressed to me a number of commendable and laudatory comments on your ability and devotion to duty. These fine attributes are deeply appreciated by me. You may well reflect with pleasure the part you played in serving your country.” Dale lived those attributes throughout his life in al l he did. 

Employed by Public Service Company of Colorado in 1957 as an Accountant, he spent 37 years at the company. In 1971 he became the Director/Manager of Internal Auditing. In 1985 he was promoted to Vice President and Secretary of the Company for the company and all subsidiary companies. Throughout the years to his retirement in 1994, he had responsibilities for computer and telecommunications, budgeting for over $50 million, created numerous reorganization policies including human resources. Dale loved his work but most of all, he loved and respected the people he worked with.

 In 1966, Dale moved from Denver to Evergreen, Colorado and joined Evergreen Lutheran Church. He served as Treasurer for 25 years including running a Capital Campaign for the expansion of the church, sang in the choir, did landscaping, helped with Christian action activities and many other programs. 

Dale was very involved in the Evergreen Community; doing set construction and painting for the local theater groups, fundraising for Mt. Evans Home Health and Hospice, and participating with the Evergreen Garden Club. 

Dale and Peggy helped design the garden at the Evergreen Water Plant by the dam, and worked the garden for many years. They facilitated many plant sales through the years for the club and community. 

Dale was also a voracious reader and loved to build and create things. Everything he did, he did well with integrity and selflessness. He was truly a humble servant. 

A family gathering over Christmas 2025 celebrated Dale’s life and the gentle and generous legacy he left. Dale loved family and friends and the times we got to share with each other. He had a great sense of humor. He never needed to be the center of attention but celebrated when others were. He will be deeply missed. 

Memorial Gifts may be sent to Mt. Evans Home Health and Hospice, 3081 Bergen Peak Drive, Suite 100, Evergreen, Colorado 80439 or Evergreen Lutheran Church 5980 Highway 73, Evergreen, Colorado 80439