Obituary for Dale P. Kaiser Dale Preston Kaiser born September 13, 1932 in Mores Hills, Indiana Parents- H. F. Harry Kaiser and Lilly Elizabeth Kaiser Youngest of 3- sister Lorraine and brother Norbert He grew up on the family’s dairy farm in southern Indiana, and often talked about the chores he was obligated to do there even as a small boy. Although farm life was a lot of work, he enjoyed many social activities too. He liked roller skating, playing basketball and spending time at the local soda fountain; he always had a love for something sweet and a chocolate milkshake was one of his favorites.
He had a lot of friends growing up and would joke about times he spent being mischievous with them. He left high school in the 11th grade to work on the railroad, but quickly realized he wanted to do something more in life. Just after his 19th birthday he and a couple friends enlisted in the Navy, this would be the start of his long military career.
Back then letter writing was the norm so military personnel stationed overseas would often get letters from home, some from strangers just sending well-wishes. Some of those letters were sent to him by a lady from Omaha, Kentucky, Ivaleen Adams. He must have really enjoyed the letters from her.
He wrote back and eventually went to go meet her and her family. Dale and Ivaleen fell in love and married in a small ceremony in Kentucky, June 26, 1954, soon after he was shipped off again to do duty in the Pacific Ocean. This must have been difficult for a young couple, after 4 years in the Navy, he chose not to reenlist.
They moved to Ohio, bought a house and thought they would settle in there for a while. Everything did not go as planned and eventually he went back into the service, this time making a commitment to the US Coast Guard. During those years they traveled to many places together, he was stationed in California, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Maine and Connecticut, making many friends all along the way.
He often talked about all the places he lived and visited, but said the time they spent in Hawaii was some of the fondest memories of his military travel. One thing missing in their life was children, at some point Dale and Ivaleen learned they were unable to have children of their own, but that did not stop them from being parents. Dale got help from one of his commanding officers and was directed to a place in Biddeford, Maine that did adoptions.
This must have been a very difficult process, but in November 1969 they were blessed with a son. Randall Harry (Randy) was born on November 20th and welcomed home in early December. They were happy but wanted another child, so proceeded with doing a second adoption for a daughter.
Veronica Leilani was born April 16, 1972 and brought home to complete their family in July. Dale was a wise man and had already prepared for retirement. He had bought a home in Berkley, Michigan a few years earlier and after he retired from the Coast Guard in 1974 he brought his family there to raise the children.
He got a job at a local hospital, starting his second career at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. During this time his wife became ill and suffered 2 major heart attacks, so he took it upon himself to care for his family in any way possible. He was the sole provider, doing everything necessary to meet the needs of his family, while also being a wonderful husband and father to his children.
One of the things he loved was travel, and this carried into his family life. He bought a camper and took the family on little trips and long vacations. He always planned out time for the family to be camping together, visiting new places on regular bases and always taking time to take part in new and exciting adventures with his children.
This love for camping was carried onto his grandchildren and was eventually the highlight of his golden years. In retirement, after Ivaleen passed away, he and Randy joined the Family and Friends camping club to spend weekends throughout the summer with some of their most valuable friends. He was able to make those trips even up until the last few months of his life.
Life was not always spent on the road; Ivaleen’s health was never good again so he also created a home life for his family to enjoy. Special moments and holidays were always exceptional and time with family was important to him. Most of the extended family still lived in Indiana and Kentucky, but Ivaleen’s closest niece lived in Michigan with her husband and 2 children of their own.
Most all important moments for his wife and children were shared with Patty, Randall, Penny and Jeff. Both children married, but his daughter Leilani was the one who brought grandchildren into his life. With her husband Chris they had 3 children, David Michael (1990), Megan Elizabeth (1992) and Lauren Grace (1996).
In the same way he gave selflessly in the past he did everything in his power to make the grandchildren a priority in his and Ivaleen’s life. Papa was their hero, and always remembered to make each one of them feel special in their own way. He enjoyed spending time with them when they were young and was proud to watch them grow into caring yet strong and independent adults.
Dale was always one to serve, from the farm to the military, to his wife and children, to the hospital, the community, and to extended family, neighbors and friends. He was a member of the hospital union, part of the local Fleet Reserve Association, and the American Legion. He was tough, steady and true, but was also the most considerate man with a heart of gold who really just enjoyed making others smile and laugh.
If you knew him well you probably were given a line of BS about something at least once or twice, charged to park in his driveway if you were not driving a Ford, or were given the “terms of the contract” before he carried out his good deed. He loved jokes and joking around and was still being humorous with those who came to visit him in the hospital, just days before he passed away. Dale is survived by his son Randy, daughter Leilani, and son-in-law Chris, grandchildren David, Megan and Lauren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
He spent his life in duty to those around him, a selfless, giving man. He will be remembered as a great leader, who showed kindness and brought joy to the lives of the people who knew him. Visitation Thursday, December 6, from 4-8:00 p.m. and Friday December 7, from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral service 10:00 a.m. at the Wm.
Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road (4 blocks E of Woodward), Royal Oak, MI 48067. Burial at Mount Hope Memorial Gardens, Livonia. Memorials in Dale’s name may be made to the American Legion Post #374, 2079 W 12 Mile Road, Berkley, MI 48072.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dale P. Kaiser please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation , DEC 6. 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Wm.
Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors-Royal Oak 705 W. Eleven Mile Road Royal Oak, MI, US, 48067 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Dale’s Visitation begins. Visitation , DEC 7. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Wm.
Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors-Royal Oak 705 W. Eleven Mile Road Royal Oak, MI, US, 48067 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Dale’s Visitation begins. Funeral Service , DEC 7. 10:00 AM Wm.
Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors-Royal Oak 705 W. Eleven Mile Road Royal Oak, MI, US, 48067 Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Dale’s Funeral Service begins.
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