Theresa "Terri" Dale

Theresa Dale, 61, passed away on December 19, 2020 at Unity Point’s Taylor House Hospice, after a courageous 5 year battle with Ovarian Cancer.

Terri was born on December 25, 1958, to Kenneth and Alicia (Malone) Dale. Her parents preceded her in death. She is survived by 7 siblings and their spouses: Mary Curts, Tom (Pam) Dale, Margaret Van Cooten, Kenny (Lori) Dale, Patty Dale, Anna (Alan) Sigmund, Karen (Jerry Lovejoy) Dale and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews to whom she was lovingly known as “Buddy”. They all knew, “if Grandma says ‘NO’, then go straight to Buddy”… Her great-nieces and nephews provided special motivation to keep fighting against a relentless opponent.

She is also survived by the “#9 Dale kid”, her friend of 43 years, Lisa Wright who served as her patient advocate throughout her cancer battle.

Besides spoiling her nieces and nephews, Terri also loved traveling, an occasional outing to a casino and continuing family traditions, like hosting the Dale family Christmas Eve Chili Open House. Her parents helped instill a love of sports; she excelled at softball and bowling. She cheered tirelessly for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs.

After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1977, Terri began what became a lifetime career in customer service with the Meredith Corporation. She stayed with the company as it was sold multiple times over the years until her final separation from Hewlett Packard (HP) in 2015. In 1998 she began working part-time for Campbell’s Concessions. Her co-workers at Campbell’s became her second family, especially those at The Depot at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Even after being diagnosed with Cancer, she was determined to continue working, scheduling shifts around her chemo treatments.

The family sends their greatest appreciation to the specialists that never stopped fighting the fight with Terri: Dr. Carl Christie; Dr. Steven Elg and his dedicated staff (Kathy, Darla, Christina & Vicki) and the Infusion Center staff at the John Stoddard Cancer Center.
A special thanks also to the compassionate staff at Taylor House for their kindness and tender care offered during Terri’s final days.

Visitation will be held from 4-6pm on Sunday, December 27th at Hamilton’s Southtown, 5400 SW 9th St Des Moines, IA. Feel free to wear your favorite Disney or Fan gear in her honor. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street, Des Moines on Monday, December 28, 2020 at 10am. Please wear masks and practice social distancing.

The Mass will be Livestreamed on the Facebook page Christ the King Parish, Des Moines for those who cannot attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family with plans to purchase a bench or tree at the Fairgrounds in Terri’s name at a later date or to Taylor House Hospice 3401 E. Douglas Des Moines, IA 50317.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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