Dale T. Kienbaum

Dale Thomas Kienbaum died on Jan. 1, 2012.

His love of farming began at birth near Palouse, Wash., where his father farmed. As a teenager he farmed for his parents near St. Maries, Idaho. He interrupted his farming career to join the U.S. Air Force. He served in Korea as a facilities manager for the Mosquito Squadron.

After returning from Korea he was stationed in Lake Charles, La., where he met and married Margaret Sensat March 11, 1956. The new couple moved to Benge, Wash., where he farmed for Ken Killingsworth.

He returned to Louisiana where he worked road construction for three years.

Returning to Benge to pursue his love of farming, he worked on the Charlie Saunders farm. Two years later he moved his family to Washtucna, where he farmed for Ed Faure, Jr. for 25 years until a massive coronary event ended his farming career.

He completed his working years managing apartments in Spokane for his father and later Carol Worthington.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Adelle Kienbaum; brother, Elmo Kienbaum; sister and brother-in-law, Yvonne and Ed Niderost; and grandson, Army Specialist Blain Ebert.

He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 55 years; sisters, Jean Koch (John), Carolee Palmer (Roger), Mary Springer, Dixie Wallingford (Dick); sister-in-law, Elaine Kienbaum; children, Lucy Tacheron (Paul), Jeanette Cummings (Ron LeFebvre), Charles Kienbaum (Susie), Les Kienbaum (Kim); 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Vigil Rosary services will be Thursday (today), Jan. 5, 2012, at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 6, 2012, at 10 a.m. and will be celebrated at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside, Spokane, Wash.

Private inurnment will take place the Mountainview Cemetery in Farmington.

Please visit Dale’s tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hennessey Smith Funeral Home, Spokane.