Dale Dwaine Harnisch, 89, passed away peacefully at his home on September 14, 2021 surrounded by his family.
Born February 20, 1932, in Snyder, Nebraska, Dale was the only child of Martha Cummins Harnisch and Walter Harnisch, and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Henry.
Dale graduated from West Point High School in West Point, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. He married Geraldine Schulenberg in Fremont, Nebraska on January 4, 1951.
Dale leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion and love for God, family, and friends; he left everyone he met feeling a little better for having known him. He was in every sense a family man; he was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and never failed to make time for them, their interests, or their pursuits. Children and animals were especially fond of him, possibly because they knew there was always a treat in his pocket.
Dale was both a talented athlete and an enthusiastic fan. The highpoint of his high school sports career was making 24 consecutive baskets in one basketball game. After high school graduation, Dale was offered a contract to play professional baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Dale took up golf later in life and excelled at that as well; he especially enjoyed playing with his sons. He cheered loudly for Nebraska football and the Kansas City Royals, but cheered loudest when he was watching his children and grandchildren play sports; he rarely missed any of their events.
His outgoing personality and competitive nature ultimately led him into a successful career in insurance sales; he was an agent for over 40 years. Much of that time was spent working with hospitals and physicians in the state of Kansas as an independent contractor with the Kansas Health Service Corporation and later as an owner of Double Eagle Insurance Services. He always enjoyed those early afternoon meetings that ultimately ended on the golf course; not only would the round of golf be free, but he usually ended up with a new golf cap as well.
He developed a deep love for animals, especially dogs, as a young boy growing up on a farm in Nebraska. For most of his life, Dale had at least one dog of his own and could usually be found dog sitting for his kids and grandkids. He knew every dog in his neighborhood and never failed to have a treat on hand for them.
Dale is survived by his wife of 70 years, Geraldine; six children: Allen Harnisch (Jean) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Gary Harnisch (Gena) of Gilbert, Arizona, Nancy Ronsick (Chad) of Olathe, Kansas, Steve Harnisch (LaTonda) of Mesa, Arizona, Roger Harnisch (MaryBeth) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Amy Freiermuth (Jeff) of Overland Park, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at 1pm on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 13145 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062 with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Melissa’s Second Chances Animal Rescue, 11015 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66214.
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 23, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: September 23, 2021, 2:00 pm
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
13145 S Black Bob Rd
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: (913) 780-6023
Born February 20, 1932, in Snyder, Nebraska, Dale was the only child of Martha Cummins Harnisch and Walter Harnisch, and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Henry.
Dale graduated from West Point High School in West Point, Nebraska and attended the University of Nebraska. He married Geraldine Schulenberg in Fremont, Nebraska on January 4, 1951.
Dale leaves a legacy of kindness, compassion and love for God, family, and friends; he left everyone he met feeling a little better for having known him. He was in every sense a family man; he was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and never failed to make time for them, their interests, or their pursuits. Children and animals were especially fond of him, possibly because they knew there was always a treat in his pocket.
Dale was both a talented athlete and an enthusiastic fan. The highpoint of his high school sports career was making 24 consecutive baskets in one basketball game. After high school graduation, Dale was offered a contract to play professional baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Dale took up golf later in life and excelled at that as well; he especially enjoyed playing with his sons. He cheered loudly for Nebraska football and the Kansas City Royals, but cheered loudest when he was watching his children and grandchildren play sports; he rarely missed any of their events.
His outgoing personality and competitive nature ultimately led him into a successful career in insurance sales; he was an agent for over 40 years. Much of that time was spent working with hospitals and physicians in the state of Kansas as an independent contractor with the Kansas Health Service Corporation and later as an owner of Double Eagle Insurance Services. He always enjoyed those early afternoon meetings that ultimately ended on the golf course; not only would the round of golf be free, but he usually ended up with a new golf cap as well.
He developed a deep love for animals, especially dogs, as a young boy growing up on a farm in Nebraska. For most of his life, Dale had at least one dog of his own and could usually be found dog sitting for his kids and grandkids. He knew every dog in his neighborhood and never failed to have a treat on hand for them.
Dale is survived by his wife of 70 years, Geraldine; six children: Allen Harnisch (Jean) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Gary Harnisch (Gena) of Gilbert, Arizona, Nancy Ronsick (Chad) of Olathe, Kansas, Steve Harnisch (LaTonda) of Mesa, Arizona, Roger Harnisch (MaryBeth) of Overland Park, Kansas, and Amy Freiermuth (Jeff) of Overland Park, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at 1pm on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 13145 S. Black Bob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062 with a luncheon to follow. Burial will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Melissa’s Second Chances Animal Rescue, 11015 W. 75th St., Shawnee, KS 66214.
Events
Memorial Service
Start Date: September 23, 2021, 1:00 pm
End Date: September 23, 2021, 2:00 pm
Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church
13145 S Black Bob Rd
Olathe, KS 66062
Phone: (913) 780-6023
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