Dale Eugene Schrag

Dale E. Schrag, 74, took his last breath on earth and his first breath in Heaven on November 28, 2025 at Newton Presbyterian Manor.

Born to Marvin E. Schrag and Bertha (Gehring ) Schrag, rural Moundridge, Kansas, on August 4, 1951, Dale joined four older sisters, Jane, Delila, Judy, and Diana. Several years later his brother Don would join them making their family complete.

Dale was a graduate of Liberty Grade school, a country school within two miles of his home (1965). He also graduated from Moundridge High school (1970).

However, it was when Dale was 12 years old that he made the most important decision of his life. It was Dale’s Daily Vacation Bible School teacher, Mrs. Helen Dyck, who presented the plan of salvation using verses in Romans to share that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, how the wages of sin is eternal death, but the gift of God is eternal life through His Son, Jesus.” And how all Dale needed to do was believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and he would be saved. Dale couldn’t wait to receive Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior! He was later baptized upon confession of his faith.

Dale enjoyed sports, and especially loved playing softball, competing against other schools. Later he joined church teams as his love for softball and then baseball grew.

Following graduation, Dale worked for area farmers in wheat harvest, as well as at plowing time and during baling season. This is where he developed a strong work ethic. While working for local farmers in 1970, he met Carol Janzen, who later would become his bride. On August 19, 1972, they were married at Zion Mennonite Church in Elbing Kansas. They were married 53 years.

Dale attended Grace Bible Institute, Omaha, Nebraska from 1972-1973. Omaha is where the couple made their first home.

In 1973 Dale began his work career at Hesston Corporation, Hesston, Kansas. He worked as a material/stockroom clerk there and was employed 43+ years retiring in 2016.

During these years, Dale and Carol were members of the Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethren Church. A very special highlight of their time there was serving as teachers for the Overcomers Special Adult Sunday School Class for 13 years! How Dale loved this ministry and took special delight in taking these adults on outings, either to the zoo, a Christmas party, or a picnic, but the most vivid outing was that of going to Royals stadium to see the Royals play. Together Dale and Carol also hosted each adult and their family in their home for a more informal opportunity to get to know individual families better.

It was in their earliest years of marriage that Dale and Carol experienced major difficulties in their relationship. But following an intensive counseling week in Colorado Springs, Jesus ALONE helped them forgive hurts of their past. They were led to give each pain to Jesus, and allow Him to heal their hearts of bitterness, negativity, and other sins that held them back. This was totally a “Jesus” miracle in their lives.

Afterwards they were asked to share their testimonies numerous times and in various states, including California, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Minnesota. One such opportunity came to serve with West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos, Nigeria. Dale and Carol felt led to share their stories and help others to come to a greater place of freedom in Christ.

They later attended the Union Valley Bible Church in Hutchinson, Kansas. It was under the ministry of Pastor Steve Hodgson that Dale and Carol grew in their Christian Walk. Dale’s favorite Bible passage was John 14:1-6, which speaks of Jesus being the way, the truth and the Life. He also loved John 3:16. Even in recent days, he shared his faith with people at the hospital and Presbyterian Manor as he had opportunities.

Throughout his life, Dale enjoyed several fun hobbies such as playing softball or baseball on church leagues, and being an avid gardener who planted, harvested and helped can many vegetables. But probably his life passion was fishing. Having grown up on a farm with a pond, he always went back for another trip to whichever pond was closest trying to catch “the big one!” Another of Dale’s hobbies, which he learned at a young age, was playing Rook, a card game he readily taught Carol and played with friends and family for many hours. In addition, he was fond of playing a variety of games with friends.

Dale had a great sense of humor and loved to get others to laugh with him. You might remember having a casual conversation with Dale and suddenly bursting into laughter because he had thrown in a pun you were not expecting. If you could play pun-ping-pong with him, Dale was delighted. That often led to sharing jokes, however, it was hard to have the last punch line when you were laughing with Dale.

Dale and Carol celebrated major occasions with special trips. Dale’s most cherished journeys were to Israel, Canadian Rockies, and Niagara Falls.

Dale often looked back at the years when they could help people who had hurting hearts as the most favorite part of his life. He and Carol desired to show God’s grace, His forgiveness and God’s love to others.

Preceding him in death were his parents, three sisters (Jane and husband Keith, Judy and husband Louis, and Diana and husband John), brother Don, as well as brother-in-law, Lester. He is survived by his wife Carol, of the home, his sister Delila Wedel, resident at the Manor, Sister-in-law Shirley Schrag of Buhler, KS and many nieces and nephews, as well as friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home from 5-7 pm with family present from 6-7 pm.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Newton.

Interment will be held prior to the service on Thursday December 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers memorials are requested to Gideon's International or Union Valley Bible Church Missions Fund.