Dale Plugge, 92, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

The funeral service will be Saturday, January 23, 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Wayne Nestor officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. at Gass Haney Funeral Home and on Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. at the church with a family prayer service at 10:15 A.M. The family requires that masks be mandatory at the visitation and service. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page.

Dale was born November 29, 1928, in Columbus, Nebraska, to Alfred and Mathilda Ann (Korte) Plugge. He attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Kramer High School in 1946 and from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1950.

Upon graduation he was recruited by Walt Behlen to join Behlen Manufacturing as an engineer and was employed there for 20 years as engineering manager. He then pursued his own interests as partner in Evans-Plugge Co. and as partner and president of Tran-Tec Corp. Along with Cliff Schroeder he was also co-owner of Westside Industrial Corporation.

Dale married Betty White in 1952 and they were blessed with two children, Julie and Greg. Betty passed away in 2000. Dale then married Marilyn Ahlstrom in 2004. They loved to travel and visited many countries around the world and a lot of miles across the U.S. He had a lot of interests and loved studying different cultures and languages. His many business interests kept him busy and he didn't retire until he was 86 years old. His strong faith guided him in all aspects of his life.

Dale was a member and active in National Society of Professional Engineers, Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers, and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as council member for 12 years. His passion was Trinity's radio station, KTLX, which he was instrumental in starting and broadcasting of Sunday Church services. He was actively involved for forty-six years and the radio studio was named, "The Dale Plugge Studios" in his honor upon his retirement.

Dale is survived by:
Wife: Marilyn Plugge of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Julie (Charles) Phares of Estes Park, CO
Son: Greg Plugge of Columbus, NE
Grandsons: Joey Plugge of Omaha, NE
Jacob Plugge of Columbus, NE
Justin Plugge of Rising City, NE
Sean Prochaska of Estes Park, CO
Marshall Phares of Estes Park, CO
Granddaughters: Bridget (Jason) Butts of Gladston , TX
Brandymae Plugge of Lawton, OK
Step-daughter: Jan (Gene) Sengstacken of Bethpage, NY
Step-son: Kent Ahlstrom of Columbus, NE
Step-son: Scot (Chris) Ahlstrom of Columbus, NE
Step-grandchildren: Crystal Ahlstrom (Justin Petersen) of Columbus, NE
Lisa (Brandon) Thomas of Columbus, NE
Andrea (Kyler) Prochaska of Columbus, NE
Sarah (Bobby) Bright of Columbus, NE
Erik Sengstacken of Bethpage, NY
Andrew Sengstacken of Bethpage, NY
Great Grandchildren: Zac Butts
Alex and Aiyanna Plugge
Step great-grandchildren: Rhett Prochaska
Shelby, Mason, and Kaylee Bright
Brother: Marvin Plugge of Albuquerque, NM
Brother-in-law: Cliff Schroeder of Columbus, NE

Dale was preceded in death by:
Parents: Alfred & Mathilda Plugge
First Wife: Betty Plugge
Sister: Alfreda Schroeder
Grandson: George Michael Prochaska
Granddaughter: Katrina Jo Prochaska
Sister-in-law: Nadine Plugge