Dallas Loesel

Dallas L. Loesel, 73, of Gilmanton, WI left his earthly hunting ground and went to the heavenly one on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.   He was born on June 20, 1949 and was the second child of seven.  His parents were Levi Loesel and Vila (Heller) Loesel.  He grew up in the Alma Area and attended school in Jahn’s Valley, Cream, and graduated from Alma High School (AHS) in 1967.  He was quick to let you know that he was the smartest student in class in the second grade since he was the only one.  He greatly enjoyed and had fond memories of the AHS FFA camping trip to Yellowstone National Park.  He started working for Glenn and Gertrude Lehman when he was 12 years old and they were like a second family to him. 

He enlisted in the US Navy in January 1968 and was honorably discharged in November 1971 as an E-4 and served at VXN-8 Patuxent River Maryland Naval Base.  He also was stationed in Memphis, TN when Martin Luther King was assassinated.

Following his military service, he returned to Buffalo County and went to work for Dregney Construction.    He soon started Loesel Construction and specialized in building pole buildings throughout Buffalo County, buildings that are still in use today.   

He married Le Anne Lingenfelter on April 28, 1973 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gilmanton, WI.   They were married almost 50 years and had two sons, Michael and Mitchell.

Dallas’ first love was hunting and fishing.  He hunted in many western states.  His most memorable and successful trip was a guided elk hunt with his sons and Jesse Bloom, each harvesting a trophy elk. Over the years he harvested many whitetail deer, a mule deer, antelope, turkeys, a bear, and raccoons.  His love of fishing included an overnight fishing adventure on the Alma Fishing Float, which included his sons, grandsons, and friends.  His love of hunting included sharing his knowledge with young hunters.  He was a certified Wisconsin DNR Hunter Safety Instructor for 40 years and taught over 1,200 students the art of hunting and safely handling a firearm.  In later years, he still enjoyed the hunt, but really enjoyed watching young hunters harvest wild game.

He was a life member of the Forrest-Gunderson-Klevgard American Legion Post 264 of Gilmanton, WI.  He served as post commander when the Gilmanton Post hosted its first district fall conference.  He, along with many post veterans and community members, added the dance hall and bathrooms onto the original Legion hall.  He served as District Sgt.-at-Arms, District First, Second, and Third Vice-Commander, and District Commander.  He received the Walter De Weese Membership award for being the first district commander to reach 100% in membership, two years in a row.  As District Commander, he was also awarded two National American Legion membership awards. He served as Department Vice-Commander, Department Membership Chairman for many Department Commanders and was currently serving on the Department Policy committee.  He attended National Conventions in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Chicago, Philadelphia and Tucson.

In 1988, he became Life Member #51 of the Alma Rod and Gun Club.  He served as the Alma Rod and Gun Club secretary and was the Outstanding Member of the Year in 1990.  He was also a Life Member of the Gilmanton Sportsman Club and National Rifleman’s Association. He belonged to the Wisconsin Bear Hunter’s Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and was a donor to the NRA Whittington Center. He donated many hours to the programs and goals of these organizations.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially if they were hunting or fishing.  He attended many of their school and sporting events, and enjoyed watching them grow into adulthood.  He mentored many; teaching them how to turn piles of lumber and steel into a functional building, and the enjoyment of the outdoors.  He worked hard and played hard.  He sponsored and participated on the Loesel Construction men’s slow pitch softball team and the Loesel Construction Trap team.  He greatly enjoyed playing pool, throughout his lifetime he played in several pool leagues (mens’ singles, mens’doubles, and mixed doubles).  He enjoyed traveling and experiencing new adventures.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Survivors include his wife Le Anne; sons, Michael (Merica) Loesel, and Mitchell Loesel; three grandchildren, Garrett, Danielle, and Brady; one sister, Judy (William) Fuller; five brothers,  Jerry (Sandy) Loesel, Lennis (Connie) Loesel, Levi (Denise) Loesel, Billie (Vicky) Loesel, and Jimmie (Brenda) Loesel; and a brother-in-law, Scott Lingenfelter.  He is also survived by an uncle, Julius Averbeck; an aunt, Eldora Bauer; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Vila (Heller) Loesel; in-laws, Mac and Bernice (Shald) Lingenfelter; grandparents, John and Elsie (Loewenhagen) Loesel and Frank and Minnie (Veraguth) Heller; a brother-in-law, Michael Lingenfelter in infancy; a great niece, MacKayla Fernholz; aunts and uncles, Lila and Ray Iberg, Edna and Francis Smith, Eileen and Willard Dennison, Clarence and Mabel Mueller, Florence and Odell Youngbauer, Dorothy and Earl Ruff,  Verlaine Averbeck, Gaylord Heller, Delmar Heller, and Roger Heller.

A celebration of Dallas’ life will be held Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Gilmanton American Legion beginning at 1:00 PM with full military honors at 3:00 PM.  The celebration for Dallas will continue until 8:00 PM.

May is the month of Memorial Day, a day to remember our fallen veterans, turkey hunting and fishing.  In memory of Dallas and to honor what was important to him, feel free to wear patriotic attire, your favorite camo, or fishing clothes. 

“No one who has been loved is ever lost.  Sweet memories keep them alive in our hearts forever.“