Dale Truman Tischer, 85, of Austin died Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at the Saint Marys campus of Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester.

He was born Oct. 16, 1930, in rural Lyle, the son of Otto and Gladys (Hanson) Tischer. Dale received his education in Austin, graduating in 1948. On Nov. 14, 1950, he was united in marriage to Roberta Ann Frettham at First United Methodist Church in Austin. He was employed by Martin Bustad and Son Construction Co., doing welding, operating heavy equipment and plowing snow from 1949 until the business closed in the 1970s. He then joined Wallace Bustad Crane service, retiring in 2005. Over his career Dale was involved in the expansion and new development of road projects in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. He also did excavation work for many southern Minnesota farmers and later completed both residential and commercial landscaping projects in and around the Austin area. Dale was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed socializing at auction sales, doing yard work and spending time with his family. Other favorite pastimes included dancing, playing cards with friends and watching his favorite television shows, Judge Judy, RFD-TV and any western. Dale loved to tinker. He was an inventor/developer and everything in between. If something could be improved, he figured out the best solution. Dale loved old time music, particularly polkas, and he enjoyed playing the accordion. He passed his passion for music on to his sons. His wife, Roberta, passed away March 12, 2012.

Survivors include two sons, William (Linda) Tischer of Shoreview and John (Kim) Tischer of Waseca; two grandsons, Paul Tischer of Minneapolis and Carl Tischer of Ames, Iowa; brother, David Tischer of Austin; sisters Norma Arends of Hayfield and Marilyn (Duane) Halverson of Austin; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Gladys Tischer; his wife, Roberta, in 2012; and  sister, Lois “Darlene” Paulson.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. today at First United Methodist Church in Austin. The Rev. Dennis Tamke officiated. Interment followed the service in Oakwood Cemetery in Austin.  Visitation was from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. today at the First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.