Gale Wheeler Pope

Gale Wheeler Pope, age 74, of Kimball, died Saturday, July 22, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pearl Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 31 at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel in Kimball. Visitation will continue 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Pearl Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Gale Wheeler Pope was born October 1, 1948, in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Wheeler and Laura (Scheeler) Pope. He grew up in the Kimball area where he graduated with the class of 1966, he then studied at St. Cloud State University. Gale had many talents that he incorporated into his working career. He worked at Mueller Office Supplies where he met the love of his life, Mary “Colleen” McMahon. Most recently he really enjoyed helping out at Mike's RV Rental for many years. Using his hunting experience, and love of the outdoors- Gale became the proud owner of American Outfitters as a Bear Guide. Blessed with many various skills, Gale renovated his Uncle Frank's and Aunt Marie's Farm House where he and Colleen shared many beautiful years together.

On June 4, 2005, Colleen and Gale were united in marriage, and Gale became a devoted husband and bonus father. Shortly after the newlyweds moved to St. Cloud until 2016, when they moved back to Gale’s roots in Kimball.

Gale was an avid outdoors man and adventurer. He certainly was well known for his passions for hunting, trapshooting, and fishing, where he was able to share and to mentor his family; and while simply spending time with them sharing what he loved. Gale loved his family unconditionally and made sure that they knew. He was always offering to help fix or solve any problem that they were faced with. Gale was a proud member of the Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation where he served as president.

Gale is survived by his wife, Colleen of Kimball; bonus children, Corey (fiancé Amy Klug) Ehlert of Sartell, Jason (significant other Adrianne Mager) Ehlert of St. Cloud, Kim (Tony) Manthei of Alexandria, and Kate (Andrew) Lutgen of Loveland, CO; bonus grandchildren, Jordyn, Issak, Francesca, Anthony, and Calum; Sister, Audrey Pope of St. Cloud; Aunt Gertie Scheeler of Kimball, Sister-in-law, Cindy Pope of Waite Park; Nieces and Nephew, Lindsay Pope, Justin Pope, Kylie Eiesland, Mikey Massetti; and many other extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wheeler and Laura Pope; Brother, Wayne Pope; Nephew, Travis Pope; Uncle Frank and Aunt Marie Pope.

The processional urn bearers will be Lindsay Pope, Justin Pope, Kylie Eiesland, and Mikey Massetti. Recessional urn bearers will be Corey Ehlert, Jason Ehlert, Kim Ehlert and Issak Ehlert.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude and blessings to the First Responders, Paramedics, Nurses & Staff at the St. Cloud Hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.