Dale C. Hjerpe

Dale Carl Hjerpe, 69, of Cherry Valley, died unexpectedly Wednesday November 27, 2013. Son of Harold Carl and Donna Elvine Hjerpe, Dale was born August 10, 1944 in Milwaukee. He grew up with siblings Carol, Sue, and Kent. He attended high school at John Adams in South Bend, IN, and college at Purdue and Illinois Weslyan. He also served in the United States Navy from 1965-1971. On February 18, 1967, Dale married Joan Rasmussen and had two sons. On December 13, 1991, Dale married Penelope Fosse and adopted her daughter. From 1995-2009 he held the position of Materials Manager at Reynolds Wheels/Alcoa in Beloit, WI. Dale retired in 2009, but worked part-time for Valley Custom Woodwork in Belvidere, IL. For a period of his life, Dale produced and performed shows at the Woodstock Opera House. He loved music and theater. However, Dale was extremely passionate about golf and volunteer work. He played in many pro-am tournaments, along with his weekly rounds of golf. His most active volunteer work was done for the Beloit Health System Foundation as Board of Directors, the Opportunities Industrialization Center of Rock County as Chairman of Board of Directors, the Business Education Partnership Committee as Leader of the Mock Interview Program, the Beloit Chamber Lions, and in 2005 served as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, thereafter receiving the GBCC Chairperson's Award for 2006.
Dale is survived by his wife, Penelope Fosse, sons Gardner (Stacey) and Adam (Heidi) Hjerpe, daughter Natalie (Tom) Durtschi, grandson Matthew (Christy) Hjerpe, and granddaughters Megan, Rachael, Ella, Emily, and Nicole Hjerpe, Sydney and Olivia Durtschi, and his two great-grandchildren Leiah and Landon Hjerpe. Dale is also survived by his sisters Carol (Sam) Hoke and Sue (Don) Phillips, brother Kent (Linda) Hjerpe, Sister-in-law Anita (Dave) Tuula, Mother-in-law Sydney (Frank) Fosse and many nieces and nephews. Other survivors include friends Gene and Rosie VanZandbergen, and his beloved golf buddies Reed and Sharon Hackenmiller, Jim Humphrey, Pete and Carol Lotzer, Sharon Fisk, Lin Riggins, and Dennis MacInerny. Dale was met in heaven by his parents Harold and Donna Hjerpe, and dear friend Betty VanZandbergen.
A celebration of his life will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Friday December 13, at Ironworks Hotel (formally the Beloit Inn), 500 Pleasant St, Beloit, WI. A short dedication will take place at 10:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, assisted the family.