Dale Robert Wollum

Dale R. Wollum aka “Chief” passed away at home June 14, 2018 with his loving wife of nearly 70 years at his side. Dale was born on September 15, 1927 to Louise and William Wollum, the youngest of 8 children. He graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Eau Claire and married RoseMary Burgess on September 11, 1948. He spent most of his working life as a produce manager in various grocery stores where he mentored many teenagers who worked for him and acquired the nickname “Chief”. He often gave away bananas to the children who accompanied their parents to the store. He wore out a Weber grill cooking burgers, brats, and his specialty, grilled turkey for many family gatherings, especially on the 4th of July, his favorite holiday. He enjoyed watching Cavalier’s baseball and Badger football, fishing and playing golf, teaching many of his grandchildren to golf and fish. A perfect day for him was spent golfing with 5 of his grandsons after stopping for breakfast at Bloomer’s Main St. Cafe. He was a member of the Eau Claire Male Chorus for 40+ years and organized and cooked for many of their after-glow parties and weekend retreats aka “Wollum Fests.” He loved to sing and missed that most of all the things he wasn’t able to do after a stroke in 2001. He always made the best of any situation and had a wonderful sense of humor that could get a laugh out of just about anyone. He loved Fritos, Pepsi, chocolate malts and DQ Buster bars and claimed there was no such thing as a bad cookie. He was a kind, gentle and loving man his entire life and we are so grateful he was blessed with a long life. His legacy of love will continue on through all who survive him including his wife, RoseMary, his daughters, Julie (Jon) Holzinger, Jan (Steve) Doud, and Jacky (Dave) Pille. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Jeff (Angie), Paul (Rachel) and Mark (Katherine) Holzinger; Jason (Kirsten) and Joe (Amanda) Winter, Rebecca (Jonathon) Janz; Daniel (Ann), Matthew (Megan), Luke (Savannah), and Sarah (Jill) Doud; Jenny (Ben) Stone, Eric and Ben (Jackie) Deaton, and Mary Laube. Grampa Chief also has 21 great- grandchildren and a great-great grandson to continue to spread his love, as well as Mark Ganther who was like his son, many nieces and nephews and his sister, Sister Dale (nee Lenore) Wollum. He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 of his 7 siblings and his daughter, Jeanne Marie Winter. The family is forever grateful to Mayo Hospice care givers Heather and Marnie who made it possible for Dale to spend the last few months of his life at home where he wanted to be. A service celebrating his life will be held on Monday, July 2, 2018, at 11 am at Lake St. United Methodist Church in Eau Claire with visitation at the church for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Eau Claire Male Chorus PO Box 773, Eau Claire WI 54702 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis TN 38148 -0142.

Service Information

Cemetery

Lakeview Cemetery
1400 Buffington Dr.
Eau Claire WI 54703