Dale Brick

Dale Brick, 89 yrs old and lifelong resident of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living Home in Baxter on Thursday, November 27th. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Helen, parents Walter and Bernice and brother Jim, Dale is survived by son Jeffry(Lynn)Brick of Savage, and daughters Wendy(Wayne)Zitzow of Merrifield and Jill(David)Anderson of Baxter, along with 10 Grandchildren and 15 Great Grandchildren.

Born on March 1st, 1926, Dale grew up in Brainerd and on South Long Lake during his early years and entered the US Navy during high school. Coming out of the armed service, he served an automotive apprenticeship at Wood Motor Company in Brainerd and worked for Imgrund Buick in Brainerd for many years.

In 1962 Dale started teaching Auto Mechanics at the Vocational School in Hibbing and 2 years later was hired as one of the first instructors at the Brainerd Vocational School. Over the years to follow, Dale helped expand and develop the Auto Mechanics, Auto Body, Automotive Parts, Service Station, Marine and Small Engines and Vending and Amusement Programs, all of which trained hundreds of students for employment and careers in businesses in the surrounding communities and throughout the state of MN.

Retiring in 1988, Dale stayed active in church activities, the cemetery board, and Brainerd Snodeos snowmobile club and was fortunate to enjoy time with his wife and family for the next 27 years, much of that spent back on South Long Lake, where he shared and created a lifetime of memories with family and friends on his golf carts, pontoons and fishing boats.

After daily visits with wife Helen while she lived at the Diamond Willow Assisted Living in 2010, his "extended family" of caregivers welcomed Dale back to Diamond Willow in August of 2014 when he became a full time resident. Over his last year of declining health, Dale truly appreciated the quality care and compassion shown to him by his "family" of Diamond Willow friends. He will be truly missed by his entire family, new and old.

Visitation from 5-7pm on Tuesday at Brenny Funeral Chapel, 7348 Excelsior Rd in Baxter, Funeral Service at 11am Wednesday with visitation one hour prior to service at Park United Methodist Church, 315 N 6th St, Brainerd. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.