Nathan Hale, Sr.

Nathan W. Hale Sr., age 85, of Winona, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021, surrounded by family at Lake Winona Manor.

Nate and twin sister were born in Sleepy Eye, MN, on May 4, 1936, to Joseph Sr. and Myrtle (Tesrow) Hale.  The twins were the first of their eight children to be born in a hospital.  He was baptized and confirmed at the First Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye, MN.  He joined the U.S. Air Force during his senior year at Sleepy Eye High School and ended his military service in 1957.  His tours of duty included Alaska (twice), Greenland, England, Azores Island, and North Africa.

Nate married Norma Brunner in 1957.  They had two daughters and one son, and later divorced.  He married Elinor Kahle in 1963.  They had one daughter and three sons, and later divorced.  He had a 13year relationship with Sue Pientok and they had one son.  They later separated, but remained good friends.

Nate enjoyed the sports of hunting and fishing, and was an avid vegetable gardener, preserving many of his crops.  Over the years he was employed as a farmhand working in the fields, an over-the-road semi-truck driver, and road construction worker, until suffering two strokes in 1988.  Thereafter, not medically cleared to work, he became a handyman.  He was a member of the American Legion Post #9, VFW #4114 of Spring Valley, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ducks Unlimited, and a life member of the North American Fishing Club.  He especially enjoyed the numerous Hale family reunions and gatherings he attended for many, many years.

Nate is survived by daughters:  Vicky Krohnfeldt, Catherine Dehning, and Monica (Thomas) Konkel; sons:  Nathan Jr., Michael (Tracey O’Brien), Mitchell (Jan), Marshall (Stephanie Kamrowski) Hale, and Matthew (Sara) Pientok; 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one due soon.  He is also survived by twin sister Nancy Diederich, sister-in-law Beverly Hale, close friend Sue Pientok, numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.  He was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons:  Mitchell Jr. and Christopher Hale; sisters:  Velma, Opal, and Betty June; brothers: Joseph Jr., Harvey, and Robert; brothers-in-law:  Paul Diederich and Arnold Schweiss; and former wives:  Norma Petersen and Elinor Tietz.

A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until Noon on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, Winona, MN, where a time of remembrance will be held at Noon, and a luncheon to follow at the American Legion, Winona.

Visitation will also be held at the Sturm Funeral Home, 301 – 3rd Avenue SW, Sleepy Eye, MN, on Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 1:00 PM until a memorial service at 2:30 PM, followed by the burial with military honors at Fort Ridgely, Fairfax, MN, and a luncheon at the Servicemen’s Club in Sleepy Eye.

“The Great Nate” will forever be loved and missed by his family and a world of cherished friends.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Nate’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.