HAPPENINGS
Former TPI Trustee Leon Dahle Passes Editor’s note: Te following was excerpted from the obituary by the family in the Tribute Book at Leon’s Visitation (November 1, 2024) and Funeral Service (November 2, 2024).
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former TPI Trustee Leon A. Dahle, age 82, of Morristown, Minnesota. He passed peacefully in the early morning hours of October 13, 2024.
Dad was born on August 4, 1942, the eldest son of Armin Dahle and Donna (Borchardt) Dahle of Morristown. Growing up on the farm outside of town, he was active in many outdoor activities, including the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from Morristown High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a sonarman on the USS Randolph. While serving on the Randolph, he was a witness to and an active participant in the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Mercury Space program, helping to retrieve the Mercury Astronauts upon their return from space. After leaving active duty, he continued his service to his country in the Naval Reserve as an Intelligence Officer until his retirement as a Commander in 1995. When he returned home from his active-duty military service, he began a course of study at Rochester Junior College, completing his teaching degree at Mankato State University. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Shirley Marie Geisler, daughter of Robert and Darlene Geisler of Silver Bay. Tey were united in marriage on April 12, 1969. Leon and Shirley founded Dahle Sod Farms in 1969, a business that continues to provide the best turfgrass in southern Minnesota. Leon took great pride in his attention to detail and making the Earth greener one yard at a time, regarding his vocation as “cultivating the skin of the Earth.” Never one to shirk a task, Dad thrived on service to others. Whether it was the American Legion, the Boy Scouts, coaching Youth Marksmanship, the Riverside Cemetery board, the Bethlehem Lutheran Church council, Turfgrass Producers International, or any of a host of other organizations, if something needed to be done, Leon didn’t hesitate to step forward to volunteer. When he had time to spare, he enjoyed flying his Aeronca Chief, canoeing the Cannon River with his dog, tending a fire in the company of friends and family, and dancing to a good Polka. Leon was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Larry and nephew Jeff, and is survived by his wife Shirley, his sons Nathan (Heather,) Tim (Katie,) Chris (Teya,) and Brian (Shawna,) his siblings Lonnie and Linda, and his grandchildren Victoria, Hanna, Wren, Quinn, Josiah, Noah, and Skyler, all of whom he was very proud.
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Leon had a positive impact on his family and his community, and he will be missed. Memorial services were held on November 2, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown. Interment and military rites provided by American Legion Post #149, Morristown, at Riverside Cemetery, Morristown. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Morristown, Te American Legion Post 149 Scouting program, or donor’s choice.
New Sod Solutions Professionals Website Launched On November 21, 2024, TPI Member Sod Solutions announced the launch of the updated Sod Solutions Professionals website noting it is designed to better serve the needs of its turfgrass customers. From golf courses to sports fields and parks, Sod Solutions Professionals is a trusted partner for selecting the right turfgrass for long-term success. Check out the new website at the link that follows.
https://sodsolutionspro.com/ Te email also highlighted Turf Talk, a monthly newsletter that delivers engaging and relevant industry news straight to your inbox. If you’ve missed recent Turf Talk blogs, you can read all the past articles online. One of the articles featured in the announcement was “Meet Casey Reynolds: Leading Turfgrass Innovation with TPI.” Tis caption ran under a photo of Casey, “As the Executive Director of Turfgrass Producers International, Dr. Reynolds offers a global perspective on turfgrass advancements and market trends.” To read the full article, written by Cecilia Johnson, visit
https://sodsolutionspro.com/meet-casey-reynolds-leading-turfgrass- innovation-with-turfgrass-producers-international/.
New Children’s Book by Jim Novak Published A new book "Upside Down and Backwards - A Book for Children" is now available on Amazon. You are reading this in Happenings because, if you’ve been around TPI a while you know the author/ illustrator, Jim Novak. Te book is composed of 36 original poems and illustrations written and drawn by Jim. He says, “It's intended for children and the child in all of us.” Jim is the former communications
manager of Turfgrass Producers International and is well-known by many TPI members who will recognize his whimsical creativity in this book.
It is available on Amazon in both hardcover and paperback. Amazon states, "Upside Down and Backwards - A Book for Children" is a delightful collection of lighthearted, whimsical, and motivational poems and illustrations created especially for youngsters and the young at heart. Inspirational and sometimes thought-provoking, the collection also includes an assortment of humorous poems that are sure to make youngsters and adults smile.
TPI Turf News January/February 2025
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