In Memoriam: Rev. Dale W. Hallberg
We give thanks for the life of Pastor Dale W. Hallberg, who died February 7, 2022, of natural causes. We pray for his family, friends, and congregations he served.
Services will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022, 1pm MST, at Sun Lakes Chapel for All Faith, 9240 E Sun Lakes Blvd N, Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Rev. Thaddeus Book is officiating.
Born on May 17, 1932, to Oscar and Eva Hallberg in Rockford, IL., Dale graduated from East High School in 1950. He studied religion and psychology at Carthage College and entered the ministry after graduating from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1959.
In the 1990s, he earned his doctorate of ministry from the University of Dubuque theological seminary in Iowa. Over 38 years, Dale served churches in Grand Rapids, MI., Racine, WI., Allentown, PA., retiring in 1997 after serving 15 years as senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rockford, IL.
Once retired in Arizona, he spent many years ministering to local churches. Dale was a fierce advocate for the disadvantaged in society, addressing the needs of the inner-city population. He worked to advance civil rights as a community leader, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, AL in 1965 and being part of a Lutheran delegation sent to investigate conditions in apartheid South Africa in the early 1980s.
He loved living in Arizona, golfing, and exploring interests such as making jewelry, painting, and traveling. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his first wife, Linda; their 4 children, Kristin Mathews, Kerry (Richard) Fankhauser, Gretchen (Brian) Cuddy, Joel (Cristina Parente) Hallberg; and 8 grandchildren. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to their favorite charity in Dale's name.
“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Pastor Dale Hallberg. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”