Dale Ralph Raasch

May 10, 1956 - June 18, 2026

Dale Raasch died on June 18 at age 70.

But more importantly, he lived in a way that made people feel important, loved, and supported. He had a rare ability to make whoever he was with feel like they mattered. Conversations with Dale felt unusually present; like there was nowhere else he needed to be and nothing more important than talking to you.

If Dale loved you, the people you loved became his people too.

To his children, he was an unwavering supporter, a sounding board for their ideas, a problem-solver, and a steady presence in difficult moments.

Born in Watertown, Wisconsin and raised in nearby Lake Mills, Dale spent much of his youth on Rock Lake and, by all accounts, created a healthy ruckus as a child.

He attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, earning a degree in Industrial Engineering, before moving to the Twin Cities and putting down roots as a Minnesotan.

Dale spent much of his adult life in Forest Lake raising his children with Elizabeth. Their home on the lake became a gathering place not only for their kids, but seemingly for everyone their kids knew.

Summer weekends meant pulling skiers, tubers, kneeboarders, and wakeboarders behind the boat. Then, usually at the request of his proud children (but with minimal convincing needed), Dale would jump in himself for a slalom or barefoot run and make sure everyone remembered whose boat it was.

Afterward, he'd light the grill and feed whoever was still around while everyone looked out over the lake - not fully realizing at the time that weekends at 7740 Scandia Trail North were a pretty special version of paradise.

The Fourth of July became one of the family's defining traditions: time on the water, food on the grill, and a house full of people. Dale and Elizabeth worked hard in their own ways to create that life and opened it generously to others without expecting anything in return.

Summer trips back to Lake Mills to visit extended family became another tradition. Time at his mother Jean's house, with his brother and sisters nearby, meant the cousins grew up together more like siblings than cousins. The families rotated between time on Rock Lake, shooting guns and bows at his brother Ohne's house, and whatever other trouble could be safely managed in the best possible way. 

When he wasn't working or on the water, Dale coached his kids' sports teams. Basketball was where he spent the most years, but baseball, tennis, and anything that needed an extra adult became fair game. 

Alongside his brother-in-law Tom Bell, Dale introduced his children to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and helped pass along a love of the outdoors that stuck.

Professionally, Dale built deep expertise in project management and knew the commercial construction, real estate and property management world inside and out.

Outside of work, he loved architecture, design, and art, and always had plenty of it around the house (though we have lingering questions about his taste). He loved fishing, camping, country drives, small towns, big cities, and pretty much anything with an engine.

He was endlessly curious, but eventually his favorite interests became whatever his children's interests were. He would cheer them on wholeheartedly - and before long, became something close to a subject-matter expert on whatever they happened to be into.

Dale balanced traditional values with openness to new ideas. As a father, he was strict but kind, principled but soft, assertive but warm - and had endless love to share.

Dale was a loving father to Jorge (Jess), Joseph (Teri), and Madalyn (Cody), and an adoring grandfather to Fina, Blair, Julia, Ivy, Natalie, Kate, and Preston. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of baby Dorr, expected later in 2026.

To his grandchildren, he was a big kid - playing on the floor, chasing them around, encouraging them to get dirty, explore, and worry a little less about the rules.

To his friends, Dale was equally comfortable at a fancy dinner downtown or a Northwoods dive bar. He was often the first call when things got complicated or a helping hand was needed.

Dale is survived by his aforementioned children and grandchildren, his siblings Ohne (Karen), Kaye, and Karen (Mark), along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert "Ohne" Raasch, and his mother, Jean Raasch.

Dale leaves behind a space that can't be filled, but also a pretty clear blueprint for what a good life looks like: be kind and helpful to everyone you meet, support your family and friends relentlessly, spend time outdoors and on the water, and find perspective and levity regardless of the situation.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 27 

12:00-2:00 PM

Lake Elmo Park Reserve - South Pavilion 

2812 Keats Ave N Lake Elmo, MN 55042

Lunch will be served. Please RSVP here: https://daleraaschscelebrationofl.rsvpify.com/ 

Dad would have insisted everyone have a good time, find the positive, and would have cringed at being the center of attention.

Come as you are and dress as you like. If you'd like to stay beyond the designated time, Dale's family will be spending much of the afternoon at the pavilion, playground, and nearby swim beach and would welcome your company. 

If you'd like to share a story about Dale, there will be an opportunity to do so.