Dale Evert Asay

He was the youngest of 8 children born to Arthur Asay and Linda Amanda Evert Asay. His siblings were

Lucille, Arthur Curtis, Melba, Fern, Orson, Benjamin and Wallace.

He attended school in Lovell, Wyoming, Port Orchard, Washington for a year, then back to Lovell. The

summer of his senior year in high school his family moved to Billings, Montana and he graduated from

Billings High School in 1948.

While in his senior year in Billings, he started working for S.H. Kress and Company, a five and dime

variety store similar to Woolworths. They had a learner program which could lead to a manager position.

He opted to do this rather than go to college, a decision he regretted later in life. S.H. Kress was not a

very well-paying company; in fact, his first year’s wages amounted to a whopping $1,820 and he worked

approximately 70 hours a week.

In 1950 he was transferred to Bremerton, Washington and while attending church he met Nina Alene

Nelson. They began dating and several months later, on July 3rd , 1952, they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple.

Dale had been drafted into the army a few months prior to their marriage and after the marriage they

spent their honeymoon driving across the country to Fort Lee, Virginia with an army buddy’s wife and a

large dresser in the back seat of his buddy’s car. It was a win-win situation. His friend needed his car and

wife in Virginia and Dale and Alene needed a way to get to Virginia. They shared the upstairs of a big

house with these two very wonderful people, Mae and Reed Brower. In September Dale received his

orders to report to his duty station in Germany and thus left his bride of two months, and they were not

together again until 16 months later.

He enjoyed his tour in Germany and for the opportunities he had to visit several parts of Europe. He

took leave and visited Paris and Holland, as well as many sites in Germany. He forever after had a love of

German cuisine.

After his discharge from the Army, Dale and Alene lived in Salem, Oregon for a few months and then

moved back to Bremerton to work for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. A job opportunity came up

to work in the Circulation Department of “The Bremerton Sun,” the local newspaper. After 9 months he

transferred to the Classified Advertising Department and in 1960 was made the manager of that

department. He worked for the newspaper for 37 ½ years and retired in August 1992. It was his birthday

present to himself.

After he retired, he and Alene moved to Kennewick, Washington to live in a warmer, drier climate and to

live next to their eldest daughter Sheryl and her family. They grew a big garden and dad was able to

enjoy golfing, fishing, reading, and camping with friends and family.

He had the blessing of serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many positions. He

served in the MIA, Aaronic Priesthood, and as a Bishop’s counselor. In 1959, at the age of 29, he was

called to be a Bishop. After serving there he was a Stake High Counselor and then in 1971 was called to

be the Stake President of the newly created Puget Sound Washington Stake. Its geographic boundaries

extended from the Tacoma Narrows all the way to Forks, Washington on the Pacific Coast. While serving

as Bishop and Stake President, Dale often taught early morning seminary. He had such a testimony of

the value of the seminary program that he sacrificed what little extra time he had to keep the classes

going. Many kids he taught have remarked to us in later years how much they loved Brother Asay and

appreciated all that he taught them about the gospel.

In 1981 Dale was called to serve as a sealer in the newly built Seattle, Washington temple. He and Alene

served 3 missions for the church, two in the Philippines, and one in the West Indies. He also served as a

Stake Patriarch for many years and served in the Temple Presidency of the Columbia River, Washington

temple. He loved to serve wherever and whenever the Lord needed him.

He and Alene were blessed with 7 super children, his words not ours, who were his heroes. Sheryl, Mark

Devin, Susan, Patricia, Dale and Steven were fortunate enough to be born to this wonderful couple. He

was the best and kindest father anyone could ask for. His children are all married to great spouses and

they and their children were his delight. All were married in the temple for which he was profoundly

grateful!

He and Alene moved to Draper, Utah in October of 2020 and enjoyed spending time with many of his

children and grandchildren. He passed away peacefully on Monday morning, Dec. 27 th 2021. His death

has left a hole in our hearts but the reality of the Savior’s plan of happiness fills us with comfort and

peace. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alene Nelson Asay, daughter Sheryl (Terry) Walker, son

Devin (Wendy) Asay, son Mark (Debby) Asay, daughter Susan (David) Jacobson, daughter Patty (Vaughn) Johnson, son Dale (Marrianne) Asay, son Steve (Marianne) Asay, 27 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Isaac Asay.