Dale G. Anderson

Dale G. Anderson, loving husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully at home April 21, 2026. He was 90 years old.
Born December 12, 1935, to Forrest D. and Mildred M. (Dick) Anderson. Dale grew up on the family farm near Stromsburg, Nebraska. The farm and his parents nurtured interests and taught skills that carried throughout Dale’s life. He loved nature, which was abundant right outside the farmhouse door. Dale began raising birds in his teen years and continued keeping them on the farm into his early married life. He also began a lifelong interest in photography as a young man, eventually becoming very skilled. Dale enjoyed gardens and gardening and lovingly shared his talents with his children. He liked to collect seeds from plants admired throughout the world, trying his hand at raising them back home.
Dale graduated from Country School, Stromsburg High School, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During college he was a member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Fraternity, which he credited with helping him build friendships on campus. The undergraduate years were the beginning of a long affiliation with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He completed graduate work at UNL in 1965, earning a PhD in Agricultural Economics. After serving several years in the armed forces, one of which was spent in Vietnam, he was pleased to accept a faculty position in Lincoln. He was a Professor on UNL’s East Campus for 30 years, walking to work (and home for lunch!) from his home on Professor’s Row.
As a Professor, Dale researched, taught, wrote, and led professional organizations with intelligence, diligence, and attention to detail. He believed in working hard and striving to do a job well. He developed friendships with graduate students from around the world. Dale authored and co-authored books and strove to share his knowledge about farming and agricultural transportation with the developing world, where his work took him often. He spent sabbaticals from UNL at the Food and Feed Grain Institute at Kansas State University, and another at Egerton University in Njoro, Kenya. The year in Kenya was a wonderful, memorable experience for the whole family.
Dale had an inquisitive nature and loved to travel. He and his wife Marjorie had adventures all over the world. When raising their two children, Lara and Karl, the family ventured to many U.S. National Parks, especially Rocky Mountain. Dale’s early love of nature, and especially the mountains, being one motivator. While generally preferring nature over cities, he did love Paris and was able to travel there multiple times. He even spent several years in mid-life learning French. Dale was a quiet and unassuming man who loved and took exceptionally good care of his family. He will be deeply missed.
Dale is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marjorie; children Lara Miller (Michael) of Memphis, TN and Karl of Lincoln; grandchildren Patrick, Peter, and Mary Miller of Memphis, TN; sisters Marlene Larson of Stromsburg, NE; and Cheryl Kess (Tom) of Harrisburg, PA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. His parents preceded him in death.
Visitation will be in Room 57 Filley Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus, Friday, May 8, 2026 5:00-7:00 p.m. Celebration of Life will be held at First Evangelical Covenant Church in Lincoln, NE Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The Service will be available via livestream on church Facebook page and “watch online” page of church website. Burial will be in Stromsburg, NE at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to First Evangelical Covenant Church, the Lincoln City Mission, The Nature Conservancy, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (Kenya), or Alzheimer’s Association.
To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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Condolences for Dale G. Anderson
Dear Marjorie and Family, my deepest condolences to you at this time of Dale’s passing. I’ll always remember him as a good and decent man, which carried over to a trusted and caring colleague. When I returned to UNL in 1975 as a new assistant professor, Dale was genuinely kind and supportive of me. I looked up to him, even when we argued (jokingly) over whether his hometown, Stromsburg, or my hometown, Wausa, was Nebraska’s true Swedish capitol… He clearly contributed heavily to making the UNL Agricultural Economics Department a successful internationally-recognized program. That said, he was so much broader than his profession, including being adventuresome and well-traveled. BTW, I bought my first pickup truck, your 1980 Dotson that you all had traveled to Alaska on one of many trips in the camper. A sweet little truck that I enjoyed for several years. Marge, I also remember how caring both you and Dale were to me when my wife, Judy died of cancer in 2004. You both reached out to help in the months that followed, offering to help in any way you could. I so appreciated your genuine support.
And please let me know how I might reciprocate your kindness to me in the days ahead. Unfortunately, I will be out of town this Friday and the weekend and will not be able to attend the service and earlier gathering. But you will be in my prayers.
It has be often said that the greater one’s love for that special one who has gone on before us, the greater the grief that we bare. I’m sure that you and your whole family know that personally these days. But by God’s mercy and grace, our memories become more precious and tender with each day and tear, knowing that Dale had lived and loved well for all he knew. Surely, he was welcomed into eternal peace and joy, hearing our Lord’s words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Bruce Johnson
Dear Marjorie and Family,
You have our deepest sympathy in the passing of beloved Dale. He was such a wonderful man! Dale was quiet, soft-spoken and so very kind!
His parents and my parents (Glenn & Hazel Hill of Polk) were great friends. In fact, when Forrest built a new barn, he let us have a Halloween party in it first,
for our Polk High classmates! It was so much fun.
In Polk High, I had to collect bugs for a science project and Dale helped me complete this taxing project with ease!
May God give you, your children, as well as sisters Marlene, and Cheryl, a comforting peace as you remember Dale living an outstanding life here on Earth. In Heaven, he most certainly was greeted with,“ Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Dear Anderson and Miller Families: We are so sorry for your loss. From stories we would hear about your time together, it is very clear that Dale lived a very meaningful and rewarding life. May you find the strength that is needed to make it through this challenging transition. And, may Dale rest in eternal peace.
Please accept our condolences.
Dan and Kathy Nadler
Our very deepest sympathy over the passing of of Dale Gene Anderson. Dale’s mother Mildred Dick Anderson and my mother Hazel Steven’s Hill were best friends meeting their freshman year at the University of Nebraska! They remained close friends for the rest of their lives ! When peas im Polk High School they let mom and dad Hazel and Glenn Hill give a Halloween party for 75 in their new barn before they let the animals in it ! Dale was a great man and was like a good cousin He became a professor with w Ph.D from the University of Nebraska and wrote books He wa very well liked and as lovely man Sheralee Hill Iglehart