Dale joined the Army after attending Lewis and Clark High School. After basic training and power generation specialty training, he served in Fort Campbell as part of the 82nd Airborne as a diesel mechanic. Dale was discharged in 1979. He later attended SPSC welding program.
Dale's sense of adventure and Eagle scout rank, led him to multiple canoeing, hiking and skiing trips both with his Troop as a kid as well as his Dad and Brother as an adult. Dale married Dixie Brathovd in May of 1993 and made a life with her three sons. He had a career in the WSDOT Geotechnical Section of the Materials Laboratory. He retired in 2020. Dale and his dad, Robert, had a special connection, often participating is black powder shootings using reproduced primitive muzzle loading guns. He was a frequent attendee at the Olympia and Paul Allen flight shows.
Dale is survived by his wife, Dixie Gietz; his Father Robert Gietz; his step-sons
Eddie Jordan, Tyrone Brathovd, and William Morris; his brother Mark Gietz; his brother Kirk Gietz; his grandchildren that he spend his later years lovingly dedicating to raising; Kianna, Skylar, Jazmine, William, Damien and Desiree. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Jason, Vivian and Victor.
Dale was preceded in death by his mother Wilma L. Gietz and his step mom Beth Gietz.
A celebration of life for Dale will be held Friday, October 8, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Mills and Mills Funeral Home, 5725 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater, Washington 98512.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sticklinsfuneralchapel.com for the Gietz family.
