Dale K. Riley

Dale K. Riley, 81, of Ankeny passed away Sept. 27, 2020, with his daughters by his side. Dale had been a long-time resident of Lenox, having lived there for the past 70-plus years of his life before moving into an assisted living residence in Ankeny for his final three years.

Dale was born Feb. 8, 1939, in Corydon, to Kenneth and Wilda (Webb) Riley and moved to Lenox at the age of 10. His parents ran the livestock auction in Lenox for many years and Dale was a partner in the auction before they sold the business in 1979. After this Dale spent his time as a cattle buyer and raising beef cattle.

Dale graduated from Lenox Community Schools in 1957 and attended Iowa State College for one year before returning to Lenox to help his parents and to raise cattle on the family farms.

He married Marlene (Eberle) Dec. 20, 1959, and they raised three daughters: Lynda Riley, Karyn Johnson and Jo McCoy. Dale and Marlene divorced in 1986 and Dale married Mary (Llewellyn) in 1988. Dale and Mary particularly enjoyed researching and hunting for antiques throughout Iowa and Missouri.

Dale spent much of his life outdoors, whether working with his cattle, or hunting and fishing.  He also loved to collect antique fishing rods and tackle, guns, knives and had accumulated an impressive collection over his lifetime.  He was an excellent marksman and had won various clay pigeon contests over the years. He hunted pheasant, deer, rabbit and also started hunting turkeys with a bow and arrow.

While he enjoyed all outdoor sporting events his biggest love was fishing and he traveled all over Iowa, Minnesota and Canada in pursuit of trout, walleye, bass and northern pike. He read everything he could on the subject and became very skilled at tying flies and finding the perfect fishing spot. Dale also shared his love of reading with his daughters and they would spend every Saturday at the Lenox library checking out the maximum number of books allowed.

Dale is survived by one brother, Bill (Cathy) of Lenox; three daughters and their spouses: Lynda (Lou) of Urbandale, Karyn (Kelly) of Grimes, Jo (Mat) of Rockaway Beach, Oregon; three grandchildren: Casey Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Keegan Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Claire Johnson of Indianola; nephews, Doug (Denise) Riley and Mark (Kelli) Riley and their children; three stepchildren: Michelle Llewellyn-Thomas, Lesa Llewellyn-Hagar and Jaime Llewellyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mary.

A family gathering is planned but no funeral services will be held per Dale's wishes.  Arrangements by Iles Dunn's Chapel. Online condolences are welcome at www.IlesCares.com.