Dale R. Thorne, age 89, of Minneapolis, died Sunday, October 25, 2026, at M Health Fairview Hospital in Edina.

Graveside Services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, at St. Mark's Episcopal Cemetery, near Annandale. In honor of Dale, memorials are preferred to Second Harvest Heartland.

Dale Russell Thorne was born on February 11, 1937, in Belleville, Illinois, to Frank and Valeria (Hoffmann) Thorne. He grew up in Belleville, where he graduated from high school. Dale honorably served in the United States Army. He then furthered his education at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, obtaining his bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

On July 15, 1972, Dale was united in marriage to Marion Smith at St. Mark's Cathedral in Minneapolis. They started their family in Belleville, IL, and moved the family to Minneapolis in 1979. As a civil engineer, Dale worked for numerous consulting companies, retiring from Design 1 in 2014.

Dale was known for his multifaceted personality. He was a devoted conservationist and observer of nature, often found birdwatching or admiring Monarch butterflies. He found joy in riding his bicycle and motorcycle, relishing the freedom of the open road. His love for cats and raptors (birds, not dinosaurs) reflected his deep appreciation for the natural world, and he often preferred the company of his feline friends and the tranquility of birds in flight to more crowded social gatherings. Dale's blunt and humorous perspectives on life often sparked lively conversations, even if he sometimes expressed displeasure that he would not outlive certain political figures. His personality was the perfect blend of humor and heartfelt sincerity.

He is survived by his spouse, Marion of Minneapolis; three children, Julie and Drew, both of Bloomington, and Bil (Diana) of Minneapolis; 4 grandchildren, Jacq, Simone, Caleb, and Owen; brother, Terry (Marlyn) Thorne; and other family members and friends. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Valeria.