Obituary
Dale Helen Woods
Dale Helen (Sopiarz) Woods, 56, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4th, 2013 at Mayo Franciscan Skemp Hospital, after a brief struggle with cancer. She was born July 17th, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois.
Dale attended WWTC La Crosse for Nursing Assistant, worked as a receptionist at Gunderson Lutheran, then a Nurse’s Assistant. Eager to continue learning, at age 46 she received her Master’s Degree with Honors in Sociology at the University Wisconsin, La Crosse. She owned her own business, DTees (Stuff Enterprises) in Old Towne North. She loved her store and was always reinventing it!
Dale was a free spirit and open minded. She was always thinking of ways to expand her knowledge and try new things. Many have depended on Dale’s superb researching skills and her creativity which can be seen in her quilting and crafting. Being self-driven, she taught herself singing, piano, guitar, and belly-dancing. She loved dancing, blues music, baking, gardening, and always ahead of her time with her fashion sense. She is part of an extremely close and very large family.
Survivors include her sons, Don of Eau Claire, WI and Derrick of Madison, WI, daughter Desere of Madison, WI, three grandchildren, Olivia, Kyler, and Alaina, mother Carol Sopiarz, and siblings Susan Trautlein, Mary Santry, Walter Jr., Carol Wolowicz, Frank, Albin, and Janice Gjelhaug.
Her father, Walter Richard Sopiarz Sr. and her sister, Deborah Ann Walton preceded her in death.
A special thanks to Hospice, Coulee Region Cremation Group, and numerous family members that helped Dale and her family during this time.
A Continuation of Life Memorial Service will be held at 7pm on Monday, May 13th at Coulee Region Cremation Group located at 113 Mason St. in Onalaska, WI. Visitation will be held from 5pm-7pm. Pastor Dana Jackson will officiate.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
We are very sad to hear about Dale. Remember the love and happy times you had with her. Hope you get some good family time to share wonderful memories. Extending our sincere sympathy.
– Joanne and Ray Jacks
We are so, so sad to hear about Dale. We have so many fond memories of her coming to the farm for a week every summer. Between our two families, there were 20 of us in our small 2 1/2 bedroom country home. We were always so happy when they came because we could get store-bought cereal….with sugar. We spent hours swimming in the cow tank, swinging on ropes in the haybarn and roaming 144 acres of farmland. Dale was a city gal but she held her own and we all loved her calm and gentle spirit and we will miss her kind heart and caring smile. Our condolences to her children, Auntie Carol, all the siblings, friends and family.
So sorry to hear your loss. My thoughts and prayer are with all of you through this time. The saying goes “It happen in threes” so I hope the Sopiarz’s are done for awhile, even though it is nice to get together. Sorry I can’t make it for the funeral but I’ll be with you in spirit. Love Gail
So sorry for your loss. Dale is reunited with some of her family that she hasn’t seen in a while. Its so hard on those left behind, but be comforted knowing she is at peace.
You are going to be very missed Aunt Dale! Love you
No matter how old we are, losing a loved one is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But remember, her goodness, her caring, and her wisdom lives on with her legacy of love that will always be with you. Reading about Dale’s achievements in her life has been very encouraging to me, but because of my family’s circumstances I never got to know my cousin Dale. My prayers, sympathy and warmest thoughts are with all of you.