Dale Eugene Koechell

Dale Koechell, 86, of Wautoma, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 12, 2026.

He was born in Wautoma on December 25, 1939, to his parents, Alvin and Grace Koechell.

Dale graduated from Wautoma High School, class of 1958, where he played basketball for the Wautoma Hornets. It was there that he met Jane Carollo, and they were married on August 20, 1960, sharing more than 65 years of loving marriage. Shortly after their wedding, the couple moved to Oshkosh to begin their family.

Dale dedicated 28 years of service to the Oshkosh Fire Department, where he selflessly devoted himself to helping others. Lieutenant Dale Koechell honorably retired in 1993.

In 1993, Dale and Jane moved back to Wautoma, where he built their log cabin home by hand, and they lived there happily and peacefully for the second half of their lives. He and Jane loved sitting in their porch swing, coffee cups in hand, feeding the birds and watching wildlife, and enjoying visits from friends and family.

Dale enjoyed spending time outside, hunting, fishing, working on his land, and golfing with friends and family at Two Oaks Golf Course. He was a dedicated member of the Mt. Morris Holden Lutheran Church and worked as the sexton for the church's cemetery. Dale was an accomplished woodworker and could create anything by hand, from a handcrafted wood toybox for his grandchildren to his log cabin home.

Dale was preceded in death by his son Darren, his parents Alvin and Grace, and his brothers Ron, Merrin, and Dean. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Jane; his sister, Nancy; his sons, Daniel (Deborah) and Doug (Rebecca); his grandchildren, Ryan (Cadi), Kelsey (Brennen), Payton (Abhishek), and Claudia; his great-grandchildren, Adalynn, Raelynn, Nolan, and Tatum; his sisters-in-law, Sue, Chris, and Lois; and many nieces and nephews who will always remember him.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Oakwood Manor, especially Shelby, Nevaeh, and Bryce, for their compassionate care and kindness.

Family, friends, and those who knew Dale are invited to Mt. Morris Holden Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 21, at 11 AM (visitation at 10 AM) to honor and celebrate his life and memory.