Dale Leslie Schnirring, Sr was born to Eva Mae (Hollrah) and Milton George Schnirring on April 13, 1927 at the family farm in rural Sac County. He attended Lytton Community School, graduating in 1944 at age 16. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in agriculture. Dale married Shirley Ann McJunkin in Sioux City on September 4, 1948. To this union were born three children: Susan Schnirring, Deborah (Lynn) Peterson, and Dale “Punky” Schnirring.

Dale was a teacher, a farmer, a politician, a businessman and a boy scout leader. His many accomplishments include President of both Iowa State University Band and his fraternity Phi Delta Kappa during his college years. He was an Iowa Master Lamb Producer. He received a Master’s Degree in Education from Iowa State University in 1967. He taught in many local schools, including Manning, Graettinger, Schaller, Auburn, and Lytton, Iowa. He was a consultant to the Army Corps of Engineers for road building and organized an airlift of medical supplies to Guatemala. He testified before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee in Washington, D.C. on the plight of farmers during the 1980’s. He was the first elected Democrat in Sac County in 132 years, serving two terms as Sac County Supervisor. He was recently honored as a Senior Iowa Worker in 2005. Dale wrote his life story, which was published in the Sac Sun and can be checked out at the Sac City Library. Dale owned and operated the Sac City Depot for over 35 years retiring in 2012 due to ill health.

Dale will be fondly remembered for his intelligence, wit, storytelling, for fiercely fighting for the mentally ill, for his love of animals, for being the town Santa Claus and for the great food he provided at the Sac City Depot. The Depot became an institution in Sac City over the years, providing high school students and many other residents with steady employment. The Depot was not only the place to get great pizza but was a primary hang out on the weekends. Countless family gatherings took place at the Depot. Dale assisted fundraising efforts by Sac City High School athletics for many years selling frozen pizza throughout Sac County. The Depot Pizza was unique. It was Dale’s passion, his connection to the area, providing lifetime memories for generations.

Survivors include his two daughters, Susan Schnirring from Wood River, Illinois, and Deborah (Lynn) Peterson from Sac City, Iowa; his grandchildren: Trey and Trent Becker, Krista Seils, Amy Groetken, Jill Groetken, Jereme Altendorf, Sara Altendorf, Heidi (Dana) Lohff, and Kyle (Amy) Schnirring. Other survivors include his sixteen great-grandchildren and his two sisters, Rose Kreft and Earlynne Hendricks. Dale was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, son, Dale Jr. (Punky), and brother, Floyd.

Dale Leslie Schnirring, Sr was born to Eva Mae (Hollrah) and Milton George Schnirring on April 13, 1927 at the family farm in rural Sac County. He attended Lytton Community School, graduating in 1944 at age 16. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in agriculture. Dale married Shirley Ann McJunkin in Sioux City on September 4, 1948. To this union were born three children: Susan Schnirring, Deborah (Lynn) Peterson, and Dale “Punky” Schnirring.