Dale Pudenz, age 75, of Emmetsburg (formerly of Ringsted and Estherville) passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at the Emmetsburg Care Center. Dale was adamant he wanted no services and wished to be remembered without (in his exact words): “Being a pain, one last time.” Condolences and remembrances can be mailed to his son Tim Pudenz at P.O. Box 192, Farnhamville, IA 50538.
Dale Othmar Pudenz, the son of Othmar and Frances (Keefe) Pudenz, was born January 15, 1951, in Sioux City, Iowa. Dale attended schools in Varina and Fonda, graduating from O.L.G.C. in 1969. He attended Iowa Central Community College and Iowa State University before working at the family business, Varina Grain Company. He eventually settled and started a family in rural Ringsted where he farmed until 1992, when he was medically forced to retire.
In his younger years, Dale was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would take every chance he got to fish, whether it was at Ingham Lake, Okoboji, or sometimes even Jack Creek on the farm. Dale was an avid Iowa State Cyclone fan and rarely left the house without putting on a Cyclone shirt. He bragged he had one for every day of the month and enjoyed talking anything ‘Cyclone’ to all who would listen…even Hawkeye fans.
Dale loved his family and most enjoyed spending every second he could talking to or being with his best friend and son, Tim. Whether watching movies, listening to punk and ska music (which he acquired an ear for in his 50s and beyond), opening sports cards, or making phone calls lamenting about the latest Cyclone “disaster,” he lived to spend time with Tim.
In his later years, Dale became very fond of cats. He was proud of saving multiple litters of kittens who happened to end up in his garage in Emmetsburg. He lovingly called it the “11th Street Shelter.”
Left to cherish Dale’s memory are his son, Tim Pudenz of Farnhamville, IA; ex-wife, Kathy Pudenz of Ringsted, IA; brother, Terry (Nancy) Pudenz of Plymouth, MN; brother-in-law, Dennis Brehm of West Des Moines, IA; and his feline crew of Dexter, Fred, Scooter, Coco, and Finn. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kara Pudenz; sister, Marijean (Pudenz) Brehm; and special friend, Nancy Knudtson.
Sympathy cards can be sent to Tim Pudenz, P.O. Box 192, Farnhamville, IA 50538.
