Dale's Obituary
Dale Patrick Lehe, 70, of Brookston, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, September 13, 2024, at IU Arnett Hospital of Lafayette. Dale had been battling kidney cancer since being diagnosed in November of 2022.
Dale was born March 17, 1954, at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana to the late Simon and Elizabeth E. (Quigg) Lehe. He was a 1972 graduate of Frontier High School where he participated in baseball and football. Dale was an outstanding football player and proud of the 10-0 seasons he and his friends had under Coach Eric Harmon. After high school, Dale graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College.
His marriage was to Rebecca S. Knoy on December 15, 1989, at a wedding chapel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He and Becky shared a wonderful life, experiencing life’s joys and challenges together with love, strength and faithfulness.
Dale got his love of farming from his father Simon. He was blessed to share the family farm with his father and two brothers, Don and Dick. Later in life, his son Zach and his nephews would join to continue the family legacy. Dale truly loved farming, helping farmers and advocating for the Ag community whenever he could. He was a longtime member of Excel Co-Op where he held many positions. He was also a member of the White County Beef Committee and proud supporter of 4H. He always enjoyed seeing his kids and grandkids show and compete at the fair.
Dale was an avid Purdue University sports fan and season ticket holder for both football and basketball. He and his son, Cody, sat together and never missed the games. Dale enjoyed seeing the success of this year's men's basketball team and happy to have been able to attend the 2024 Men's Final Four in Arizona. One of his earliest highlights was he and his father at the first ever basketball game in Mackey Arena, featuring Rick Mount and Lew Alcinder, which captured them in the background of a photo featured in Sports Illustrated.
Dale modeled his Christian faith with a quiet strength that showed understanding and kindness to everyone. He had a warmth in his smile that allowed others to feel accepted and cared for. Dale always considered both sides of any situation and was slow to form judgment or criticize. No matter how difficult the situation, Dale never made it about himself but worried more about what he could do for others. He was a current and longtime member of The Church of the Blessed Sacrament in West Lafayette; it was there that he formed a strong friendship with Fr. David Buckels who helped counsel him through his journey with cancer.
More than anything, family was most important to Dale. He loved spending time supporting his family at basketball, baseball, water polo or 4H events. He was immensely proud of the three generations of Lehe Farms. Spending time with Becky and the kids was always where he wanted to be.
Surviving with his wife, Becky are children, Kylee Lehe Mains (husband: Andrew), Kinsey Howe (husband: Aaron), Cody Lehe, Abbey Chapman (husband: Ryan) and Simon Zachary (wife: Carlie); two brothers, Don Lehe (wife: Kathy) and Richard Lehe (wife: Jacquie); a sister, Denise Zabilski (husband: Steve) and his 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Louise Knoy Parker (husband: Bob); his brother-in-law, Bradley Knoy (wife: Amanda) and his sister-in-law, Barb Finley.
Preceding him in death with his parents, Simon and Elizabeth is his father-in-law, Larry Knoy.
Rosary service to begin at 2:45 p.m. with visitation to follow from 3 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at Hartzler-Clapper Funeral Home of Brookston. A funeral mass will be held at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament (2224 Sacramento Drive, West Lafayette); Rev.’s Daniel Shine and David Buckles to officiate. Interment to follow in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens Cemetery, West Lafayette.
Memorials may be made to the Dale P. Lehe Memorial Fund to be used for his son Cody’s care and/or shared with the White County Fair or Frontier Athletics as needed.
