Dale Herbert Michel, 92, of Rochester, passed away Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Benedictine Living Community – Madonna Towers, with his family by his side.

Dale was born on December 14, 1932, in Elgin, Minnesota, to Sedalia "Mike" and Mabel (Kaul) Michel. He attended Culbertson School and Rochester Lutheran School for his elementary education and graduated from Rochester High School with the Class of 1951. On March 6, 1954, he married the love of his life, Lucille Atkinson, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rochester.

A farmer his entire life, Dale worked side by side with Lucille. Together, they raised crops, many award-winning elk and he was proud to serve as one of the Founding Directors of the National Elk Breeders Association. They continually strived to maintain some of the industry's best genetics and took great pride in their accomplishments year after year. When they were not attending competitions, you could also find Dale offering various custom harvesting options.

When he wasn't in the fields, Dale could often be found in his shop tinkering with metal and other projects. He loved to weld and build and was especially proud of a custom anvil he crafted himself. Dale was always up for a good treasure hunt, collecting unique antiques and making new friends along the way. He had a lifelong passion for steam engines and held a hobby boiler license.

Dale is survived by his son, Dean (Alicia) Michel of Zumbro Falls; daughters Laurie (Dan) Christopherson of Oronoco, Lynne (Mike) Thompson of Rochester, and Lisa Michel (Mark Weimer) of Rochester; daughter-in-law Kaye Michel; eight grandchildren: Sumer (Dustin), Cody (Katie), Brett (Kaitlin), Austen, Alex, Dominic, Ben, and Madeline; three step-grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one step great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucille; a son, Dana; a brother, Delbert; and a sister, Delores.

The funeral service for Dale will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 222 6th Avenue SW in Rochester, with Pastor Nathaniel Schwartz officiating. The burial will be in Dale Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in rural Zumbro Falls. Friends and family may visit on Monday, October 20, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Schleicher Funeral Homes, Plainview Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.