Dale Walter Petersen

Dale Walter Petersen passed away at Renown Medical Center on April 20, 2021 after suffering a series of strokes. He fought hard, but the strokes took their toll and between the side effects of those and his failing heart, he got tired of fighting and went to be with his beloved parents, Walter and Evelyn, and beautiful granddaughter Kara that preceded him in death. Dale is survived by his sister Gail, three daughters: Shannon, Noele, and Jessica, and six grandchildren: Jennifer, Adam, Micah, Noah, Olivia and Ashley. 

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Dale was born in Berkley, CA on November 1, 1947 to Walter and Evelyn Petersen. In July of 1950, his sister, Gail Petersen came into the world. Evelyn and Wally had a reason in mind when they picked their children's names. Evelyn thought if she called out “ale” both Dale and Gail would come running. Sure enough, when she called, they looked at each other and said “mom’s calling you”. They grew up in Pollock Pines/Placerville area where their mom put her gift of teaching to work and became the first instructor and director of Placerville Pre-School. Meanwhile their dad put his car knowledge to use and became an auto shop teacher. Though Dale didn’t enjoy working on cars, he loved classic cars. With one look, he could tell you the year, make and model. His favorite was a 1957 Chevy.

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Dale attended El Dorado Hills High School, where he met his wife-to-be, Rosemary Leventon. After graduating high school in 1965, Dale enlisted in the Army assigned to the Corps of Engineering and later served two tours in Vietnam. After being discharged in September of 1969, he reunited with Rosemary and they were married December 27, 1969. Not only did he love Rosemary; he loved her baby girl. Dale adopted Shannon Elise, when she was six months old. 

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In January of 1970, they moved to South Lake Tahoe where he would begin his 50+ years of service in the casino industry at Harvey’s Resort Casino & Hotel. Harvey’s was his home-away-from-home for nearly 30 years. He was a maintenance supervisor and loved his job, his co-workers and interacting with the public. Dale worked the night shift and had to often battle the snowy roads in the winter. It wasn’t uncommon for him to leave home at 8:00 to be at work by midnight. It was typically only a 45-minute drive, but he was very punctual and wasn’t willing to chance being late for work.

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On December 20, 1973 Rosemary gave birth to their daughter, Noele Christine. Noele and Dale had a very special relationship. They shared a love of classic cars. They attended Hot August Nights in Reno for many years and also went to “auto-ramas” whenever they could.

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In 1988, their oldest daughter, Shannon gave birth to first grandchild, Jessica Leigh. Dale and Rosemary adopted Jessica in September of 1989, completing the magic number of 3 daughters. 

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In 2004, Dale left Harvey’s to go work at the Atlantis Hotel & Casino in Reno. The first appeal was no longer having to commute to South Lake Tahoe from Carson City. Once at the Atlantis, although he still had to commute to Reno from Carson City, it was a welcome change. He immediately became adored by his staff and fellow co-workers. He loved the job and being a “people person”, he enjoyed working with the public. In 2005 after 36 years of marriage Dale and Rosemary divorced and went their separate ways.. 

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Dale eventually moved to Reno to be closer to the Atlantis. Jessica was living with Dale when her beautiful daughter, Dale’s granddaughter/great granddaughter, Kara was born. Dale adored Kara and we are sure they are playing together in heaven. 

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Dale never met a stranger and was loved by everyone he met. He had a way to brighten the room with his sparkling eyes, bubbly personality, and contagious laugh. In 2013, he met Cecilia Blloxm who he would spend the rest of his life with. He was immediately “smitten” over her and though she was not initially sure of his intentions, they quickly became inseparable. Dale wanted Cecilia by his side always and Cecilia was as often as was allowed during the pandemic. Cecilia was by Dale’s side when he passed. 

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First and foremost, Dale’s family would like to thank Cecilia. Whereas, they were not married, Cecilia and Dale had a love that most dream of having. She was part of his family in Dale’s heart and is part of our family forever. Cecilia was amazing and helped ease anxiety felt by Dale’s daughter, Noele who lived 6 hours away. He could not have kept up the fight if it weren’t for Cecilia and Renown Hospice. Cecilia took amazing care of him, sacrificing her own physical and mental health. She left her job at the Atlantis so she could take care of Dale full time, making sure he ate well, rested a lot, kept his mind sharp and most important to him, made sure he was always clean-shaven. 

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We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Renown Health Hospice Care for their emotional support to Cecilia and who made themselves available 24/7 for Cecilia, Dale, and Noele. We’d also like to thank Truck Meadows Cremation & Burial. They were comforting, sympathetic and extremely flexible. 

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A memorial service is planned for Dale on Tuesday May 25th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel at the Masonic Memorial Gardens located at 435 Stoker Ave. Reno, NV 89503. Please join us at promptly 2:00 after the memorial service at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery located at 14 Veteran’s Way, Fernley, NV 89408 where Dale will receive full military honors. 

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In lieu of flowers, Dale’s family asks that donations be made to Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Please contact Waydd Rechard for more information. rechardw@veterans.nv.gov