Dale Ronald Link, born March 9, 1926, passed away peacefully January 23, 2023, age 96, in his home in Lincoln, NE. Dale was the oldest child of William (Bill) and Ruby (Miller) Link. A lifelong farmer, Dale lived the majority of his life on the family farm near Ravenna, NE. He graduated from Ravenna High School and had a farm deferment from the draft during WWII. Dale wanted to help with the war effort, however; he enlisted in August of 1946 and was stationed in occupied Japan until December 1947. Dale graduated from UNL in Ag Economics in 1952 and married Margaret (Peggy) Nelson from Stromsburg, NE in June 1953. He taught ag practices to returning veterans through the VA GI Bill in Ravenna for several years after college. Dale and Peggy ran the farm and raised their family of five children in the area known as Sodtown, near Ravenna. From 1982 to 1989, Dale worked at Eaton Corporation in Kearney at nights, while farming part of the daylight hours. Dale moved to Lincoln in November 2018 and lived with his daughter Samantha, then with his daughter Mary in the spring of 2019.

Dale was active in the community and county throughout his life, including the Boelus baseball team (1950s), Ravenna School Board (1967 to 1979), Cherry Creek Township Board (1965 to 2015), Buffalo County ASCS Board, Buffalo County Fair Board, Sodtown Telephone Board, Ravenna United Methodist Church, Lions Club, Ravenna Historical Society, Ravenna Senior Center, Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, VFW, and American Legion. Dale enjoyed playing the bagpipes in local parades as part of a Shriners group.

Dale was proceeded in death by his parents, his brother Bruce and sister Sheila, and his wife of 52 years, Peggy (2005). He is survived by numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces and his five children and their families: Marty (Rob Tobin) of Lincoln; Mary of Lincoln; Jon (Grace) of Alexandria VA; Andy (Cathy) of Lincoln; and Samantha of Lincoln. Dale was blessed with nine grandchildren and their spouses: Katie (Mitch Matney) Tobin, Molly (Tyler) Pruess, Zoe Tobin; Matt (Kinsey) Dona; Jake Dona; Hunter (Monica) Link, Sara (Andrew Villemarette) Link; Mckenna Link, Nora Link; and four great-grandchildren: Abraham Matney, Wren and Theodore Dona, and Jack Pruess. Dale had several dog friends throughout his life, and Frank the dog is going to miss him as much as his family and friends will.

A memorial service will be held at the Ravenna United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11am. Donations may be made to the Ravenna United Methodist Church or the Ravenna Senior Center.