O. Dale Leggett

O. Dale Leggett passed away on Sunday, the 21st of September at the age of 98. He was attended to by family and surrounded by love. Dale was born September 18th in 1927 in Polk County, Iowa, to parents Orval William Leggett and Violet Pearl (DeLong) Leggett. He was the second of four children, including sister Wanda and brothers Ronnie and Doyle. Dale spent his childhood attending country school, playing on the farm, and helping run his father’s service station. In 1944, at the age of 17, he sought his parents’ permission to join the United States Navy. He proudly served in the Philippines until earning an honorable discharge in 1946 as a Fireman First Class.

Following his military service, Dale worked for the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America for 39 years, a job taking him from Iowa, to Texas, and eventually to Beatrice. He flew an L-16 for the Civil Air Patrol. Dale was a Mason for 73 years and a member of the Sesostris Shriners #35, leading the Tri-Scats parade unit and volunteering with the Shriners Hospitals for Children. He was active in the First Christian Church, active in VFW, and a member of the American Legion, earning recognition for 55 years of continuous membership. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, “tea time,” and traveling with friends and family.

The greatest joy in Dale’s life was his 76 years of happy marriage to Ardis Irene Jones. Dale and Ardie were married on June 5, 1949, in Truro, Iowa. They raised two daughters and welcomed three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Together they traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, and countries in Europe. There were special memories on trips to Branson and Estes Park. Dale’s devotion to family showed in his love for babysitting the grandkids and hosting during the holidays. Dale’s mother-in-law once advised Ardie, “You take care of him; they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” Those words always rang true.

Dale is survived by his wife, Ardis; their two daughters, Carol Cabacungan (Domingo) and Teresa Dale Hoffman (Daryl); grandchildren Ellen, Daniel, and Sarah Dale; and great-grandchildren Henry, Julian, and Josephine Dale. Nothing was more important to him than ensuring those around him felt loved and cared for. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, September 25, 2025 at First Christian Church in Beatrice. Prior private family inurnment with military rites by the United States Navy and Bitting-Norman Post #27 of the American Legion will be in the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. There will be no viewing but a register book will be available from noon to 8 PM Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of the mortuary. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

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