Dale E. Desler

Dale E. Desler

August 4, 1939 – March 5, 2024

Dale E. Desler was born on August 4, 1939, in Washington County to Elmer and Marie Desler.  Dale joined his older sister, Phyllis, growing up and working on the family farm near Orum, Nebraska.  As he grew up, and when he wasn’t smoking cigarettes in a grass shack behind the school house or flipping the church pews, he cared for his animals and helped out around the farm.

The family moved to Omaha in 1952, moving into the Benson area.  Dale attended Rose Hill Elementary school and was a proud 1957 graduate of Omaha’s Technical High School.  His training at Tech led him to be an electrician.  During High School he worked at Pine Tree Electric, where he remained after graduation, before joining the Union Pacific Railroad, working in the Omaha yard on high voltage circuits.  Dale left the UP when they told him he was being transferred to North Platte.

After working for the railroad,Dale went to work for Bob Risley, installing laminate counter tops and vinyl floor coverings.  After a period of time working for Bob, he stuck out on his own and Desler Floor Covering was born.  Dale worked as a one-man shop for most of his career, but did often partner with good friends, Roger Villnow, Greg Schneider and Max Warnock.  Dale became friends with many of his contractors and had a reputation for turning out an excellent product.  Dale ran the business for nearly 30 years before he retired.

Dale was an avid bowler and shot in a few different leagues a week.  He was also the leader of our family team, which we appropriately named “Big Chief and his Indians;” not exactly PC, but that’s what we went with.  Dale also threw competitive horse shoes in several leagues, winning team and individual championships.  Hunting and Fishing was always a big part of his life.  There are many memories of the Gang on opening day of Pheasant season.  There are also many memories of Minnesota fishing trips, as well as day trips to Iowa farm ponds, and Pat John inspired trips to exotic locations.

After retirement, Dale enjoyed planting large gardens, taking care of his yard, and playing even more horseshoes. Dale continued his craftsman ways and got into woodworking and refinishing antique furniture.  I am pretty sure that every family member has a Dale created piece of art or two – he was very productive!  Dale was always happy to help Mark and Michelle, as they have a reputation for being non-stop home remodelers.

Dale doted on his cat, Maggie, his main companion after Annette passed. Whenever he called Michelle for something he would refer to himself as “your pain in the ass father-in-law” with a laugh. He always introduced her as his favorite daughter-in-law, to which she would say “I’d better be since I’m the only one!”

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Marie Desler; his wife, Annette; sister, Phyllis Cain; and grandson, Alex Mastera. He is survived by his daughter, Kim Mastera (Pete), and son, Mark (Michelle); grandchildren, Dan Desler (Melissa), Jake Mastera (Jaime), Abbey Sullivan (Michal), and Katie Desler; great-grandchildren, Ashlyn, Kinley, Colson, Everly, and George.

Visitation will be held Sunday, March 10th, beginning at 1:00 p.m., West Center Chapel,  with a Time of Sharing following at 2:15 p.m. Interment: Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials will be directed by the family.

To view a live Broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “LiveCast” button at the top of the homepage.