Dale Edwin Thingvold

Dale Edwin Thingvold was born in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, July 5, 1947. He passed away December 6, 2021, from complications of a chronic illness. He is predeceased by his parents Carl and Myrtle (Harvey) Thingvold, brothers Clair and John, brother-in-law Ray Kendall and sister-in-law Paulette Thingvold (Bertrand).

Raised on a farm near Cadillac, he learned the value of a dollar and a solid work ethic. Dale left the Boule Creek school for Cadillac school in Grade 5. In class he met a young girl named Rachelle St. Jacques, when they were older, they dated before he joined the military.

He joined the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 17, travelling from Swift Current to St. Jean, Quebec, via train with a grand total of $5 in his pocket! He rose through the ranks from a Private in April of 1965 and retired as a Major in January of 2007. In his early years with the military, he and Rachelle wrote letters to each other and dated during his leave and he was her escort for her graduation from Grade 12 and then Nursing school. They married June 1969 and went on to have 3 children.

Dale received his Officer’s Commission February 1, 1984. During his career, he continued to upgrade his education while working full-time as well as being an equal partner in childcare and household duties. A qualified (red seal/journeyman) electrician and handyman, he often took on odd jobs or helped friends with projects when he wasn’t busy building or doing his own home renovations. He continued to serve in the Reserves in AEF Abbotsford until July 2 of 2007.

During his lengthy service, he was posted to CFB Greenwood NS, Alert NWT, ICEU Winnipeg in1972 and 1988 Air Command, travelling at length in the NWS (North Warning System). Other postings included Ottawa, Sudbury, Chilliwack, and Moose Jaw. Over the years, he was sent to Bermuda, Egypt, Texas, Florida, Kuwait, and Dubai. Of note, he was in Virginia during 9/11. After his retirement from military life, he worked for Elections BC and as a project manager with Weatherhaven, travelling to Kosovo/Macedonia and Croatia to supervise the construction of temporary living quarters.

Over the years, with encouragement from Rachelle, they travelled the world. He loved his Ford trucks and the Airstreams. His favourite times were camping with the grandkids and taking our extended family trips: a cruise to Alaska, a road trip to Alberta, and a very special trip to Graceland over the Christmas holidays. (What a fun time we all had there.) An excellent listener, he always enjoyed meeting new people and absorbing new cultural experiences.

He especially enjoyed a game of crib and was a killer at euchre. Dale was always physically active, with “PT,” jogging, dancing a mean polka, hiking, doing fitness classes and curling. Later he rode his bike and participated in aquafit classes. In his last years, he preferred to be on the golf course and, as in all his other endeavours, he was very competitive. Most of all we will miss his sense of humour -- he was a master of the deadpan -- the twinkle in his eye and his teasing, kind and giving manner.

He will be sadly missed by Rachelle (St. Jacques), his wife of over 52 years and his seven beloved grandchildren, the “light” in his life: Hansen, Andersen and John Thingvold; Évangeline and Emmanuelle Gracias; and Xavier and Erik Thingvold-Ng. He will also be mourned by his son, Shaun Thingvold, and Tanya Noble, daughter Sheryl Thingvold and Derek Gracias, and daughter Sheila Thingvold and Dennis Ng. He leaves behind his siblings: an older half-brother, Ed Shupa (Diane); older sister, Carol Lecerf (Ron); older brother, Harvey Thingvold; younger brother, Delmar (Jola); younger sister, Cynthia Strain (Tom); brother-in-law, André St. Jacques (Therese); sister-in-law, Charlotte Thingvold. Nieces and nephews: Ronnie (Cheryl), Debbie (Jeff) and Kevin (Jennifer) Kendall; Donna Szautner (Glen); Denine (his goddaughter), Dallas and Devin Thingvold; Curtis Thingvold (Jennelle), Kelly Thingvold (Heather), Trent Thingvold (Christine) and Carla Bollinger (Bart); Martin Thingvold; Shanna Roy (Jonathan); Amanda

Simpson(Colby);Joanne Anhelher (Dana); Jody St. Jacques (Andrea); and Twila St. Jacques.

Dale would be the first to help a stranger, neighbour or friend in need. To honour his memory, please pass on an act of kindness in that spirit.