Obituaries

86, of Iron River, MI, entered fully into the presence of our Lord on Tuesday August 15, 2023, after serving Him nearly all his adult life. Dale’s family, friends, and faith in the Lord sustained him through his battle with cancer. Dale was born on June 28, 1937, to the late Norman Ernest and Clara Amelia (Kohls) Raatz. He grew up in Cornell, WI, where he met Pearl Ella Klein. They married on October 13, 1962, and made their home on the Raatz family farm in Cornell. Pearl preceded Dale in death on September 28, 2012. Dale began his ministry in 1970 by serving as a pastor in the Grandview, Athelstane, Amberg, and Wausaukee areas in Wisconsin. He founded and built the Christian Fellowship Center in Wausaukee in 1988. In 1997, Dale and Pearl expanded their ministry work far beyond Wisconsin in the wake of Pearl’s miraculous recovery from an aneurysm. They established Final Word Ministries and preached the word of the Lord across the United States, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and the Philippines. They planted numerous churches, provided funding for an orphanage, and drilled wells to provide drinking water. They also wrote two books: The God of Now, about Pearl’s recovery, and Golden Nuggets, a collection of biblical thoughts. Later in life, Dale resided in Fremont, IA, before moving to Iron River to be closer to family. In the last years of his life, Dale actively ministered at the Mission Bible Training Center in Gaastra, Michigan. Pastor Dale was a great friend and encourager to many. He was solidly biblical and practical in his preaching and was a highly effective teacher of the scriptures.

Dale is survived by his son Timothy (Lisa Woods) Raatz, of Iron River, MI; his daughter Bernice (Mark) Stutz of Abrams, WI; grandchildren: Michael (Kristina) Raatz, Matthew Raatz, Raymond (Ashli Olson) Schroeder, Candice (Troy) Schoenung, Cherie (Josh) Kirkpatrick, and Joseph (Kaitlyn Tesch) Stutz; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Braeden, Lydia, Destiny, Lillianna, Ryan, Gracie, Arlo, Dontaye, Kasen, Keygan, Taelynn, Jasmine, Cardelia (Dilly), Nevaeh, and Ava; siblings: Lowell (Joyce) Raatz, Darlene Raatz, Carol (John) Grinder, and Linda Raatz; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Dale was preceded in death by his daughter, Connie Schroeder Pieper; son-in-law, Victor Pieper; infant son, Mark John; and brother, Dennis Raatz.

Visitation will be held on Saturday August 19, 2023 at Christian Fellowship Center W8050 County Rd C, Wausaukee, WI from 10am until the time of his funeral at 12pm with Pastor Mike Kustic officiating. He will be buried next to Pearl at the Holcombe Cemetery in Holcombe, WI.

Roubal Funeral Home of Wausaukee is assisting his family with arrangements.