Dale Gordon Cambern, age 78, of Austin, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 at Methodist Hospital in Rochester.

Dale was born July 24, 1925 in Austin to Owen and Martha (Huber) Cambern.

On March 29, 1947 he married Beverly J. Havener in Austin. Dale served in World War II and had earned numerous medals of honor including the Purple Heart. After serving his country, he returned to Austin and started up a business, Crandall & Cambern Lath & Plastering. After 25 years he went to work at Wilsons and Farmstead in Albert Lea where he retired in 1988. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Dales favorite pastime was golfing with friends where he was known as “Hap,&uot; keeping things in shape around the house, cooking, shopping and playing cards was also important to him.

Survivors include three daughters:

Diane (Wes) Cambern, Rochester, Minn., Susan (John) Avery, Albert Lea, Debra Nelson, Albert Lea; four sons:

Jon (Cathie) Cambern, Albert Lea, Joel Cambern, Austin, Brian (Terri) Cambern, Austin, Jan (Becky) Cambern, Hudson, Wis.; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother:

Eugene Cambern, Las Vegas, Nev.; sister:

Bernadine Amborn, Milwaukee, Wis.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife:

Beverly on April 28, 1997; two brothers:

Ronald Cambern and Keith Cambern.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003 at Mayer Funeral Home with Rev. Leland Bissinger officiating. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home and one hour before the service on Tuesday.

Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #91.

The casket bearers will be Jim Grunewald, Nolan Johnson, Bob Soiney, Corey Cambern, Logan Cambern and Harold Denisen.