Dallas Lee Lake, 88, of Bridgeport, passed away Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Morrill County Community Hospital.  His funeral service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeport with Reverend Jonathan Berosek officiating.  Interment will be held at 2pm at Ash Hollow Cemetery in Lewellen.  Visitation will be held at Bridgman Funeral Home in Bridgeport on Monday, November 25, 2024, from 3-7pm.  It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Dallas’s honor may be made to the First Presbyterian Church or to the family to be designated at a later time.  Online condolences may be made by viewing Dallas’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com.  Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport is entrusted with arrangements.

     Dallas Lee Lake was born in Oshkosh, NE, August 21, 1936, to Harold and Irene (Pebley) Lake and lived 88 years, 2 months and 29 days until his death in Bridgeport, NE November 19, 2024.  Dallas was the youngest of his siblings Dean, Martin and Betty. He was raised on the family farm North of Oshkosh where he learned to enjoy and respect the rich living of life of earning a living through farming and ranching. As much, he learned to enjoy the value of family and friendship, spending time hunting, fishing, milking cows, playing baseball and a bit later, playing horse polo. Cruising around with great friends Jack Vincent and Allen Weatherwax, creating memories, for some reason were mostly not shared – other than the big mischievous smiles that were telling of the times they had.

     Dallas attended country school and was the only one his age, so was advanced to a higher grade leading to his graduation from Oshkosh High School at age 16 – however he wondered if the staff might have wanted his early departure. Dallas met the love of his life in 1954 when he graciously changed her flat tire, and later married August 24, 1958. The enduring commitment to each other through all life and the life of farming and ranching brings, remained remarkable, even with Sharolyn doing her best to manage some colorful remarks and his saying “something smart”- Dallas smilingly shared. Sharolyn gave some “bops” on the head and a look of frustration, typically followed by a chuckle as well. Dad’s finest love messages were mostly shown, but many times left on the back of a random envelope for his beloved “Pud”.

     Dallas and Sharolyn raised three daughters, Tamie, Donelle and Crystal – and the “Post boys” would confirm they too were raised right through Dallas’ impactful lessons spoken and shown. Dallas and Sharolyn moved to “the meadow” at Bridgeport in 1960 following an opportunity to farm for Dr. G.P Post and his father George A. Post. This allowed for eventual growth of his own cattle herd and purchase of the “Milanuk” farm in 1975. Dallas made great improvements to the farmland and eventually was so proud to place a pivot on his property. Over the years, Dallas grew a great cattle herd, and crops of corn, alfalfa, meadow hay, oats and wheat. Dallas had a love of good dogs, namely Bif, Pepper, an old black dog, Jake and Si.      

     Dallas also had a love for horses and earlier enjoyed racing horses and of course any good working horse, one of his favorites, Betsy Bell. Dallas loved to hunt for and observe wildlife, namely bear, elk, deer, geese, ducks, quail, pheasants, coyotes, snakes and prairie dogs. Most recently, he enjoyed watching the birds visiting his bird feeder. Dallas’ character was so displayed as he worked to build, survive and persevere through challenges presented common to the farming and ranching livelihood. Dallas used “farmer’s ingenuity” often with his trusty pliers, shovel, baling wire, etc. while maintaining tractors, tending to ditches and irrigation (“thooping” so many tubes), fencing and cattle care.

     Dallas clenched his jaw and teeth on occasion with a strong-willed horse, cow or maybe human… but mostly his calm determined demeanor carried him through any relationship with anything or anyone. Through grit and determination, faith and belief in self, family and situation, Dallas envisioned and made to reality success of their farm and ranch. This too was evident to those business partners in the banking, agriculture and livestock support systems he built strong relationships with to realize their life goals. Their farm is “free and clear,” and theirs. Dallas was one of the few remaining “small family-owned” farms.

     Dallas served on the Morrill County Sherriff’s Posse for most of the time living in Bridgeport. Dallas also served for years on the Morrill County Fair Committee, judged boxing for the Golden Gloves and was a member of the Ditch Board. Dallas had been a main-stay in the community of Bridgeport for years as people have appreciated his presence and waves hello as he drove his common routes, most often to check on their farm.

     Dallas suffered a heart attack in 2007, (but saw to it he had to get some more haying done before he went to the hospital)- that led to an extended stay in Loveland, which led to his eventual return to his ability to live and do the things he loved. And also led to extended and significant relationships built and maintained locally and at Loveland with the medical providers and care givers. Dallas outlived typical life and working life expectancy - for the medical care that gave him and us time, we are forever grateful.

     Matthew 5:13 reads “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost it’s taste, how shall it’s saltiness be restored?” Dallas has been remembered as a pillar, cornerstone, as “salt of the earth” – the best of society, who had a positive impact and influence on those around, one of great kindness, reliability and honesty. Dallas’ salt of life lived, will not lose it’s flavor and taste as all of his family and relationships built, will restore and maintain the “saltiness” through our lives lived, as he so richly flavored ours. Strange how his salt he held with such value, ended up working against him, albeit his family worked hard to limit, selfishly, to keep him on this side of heaven.

     Dallas cared deeply about all members of his family, from proud birth moments and through any death, he so struggled with. We learned great and many things through the life he lived, and the lessons he taught while doing so, outdoors and the treasure of time spent with “kitchen table” times along with Sharolyn’s wonderful cooking and baking and their great discussions. Dallas remained involved, informed and present with his farm through ongoing visits and discussions- thanks to all family, especially the Pankowski families. Dallas enjoyed watching each grand and great grandchild grow. He struggled that his health and age would not allow for further work he wanted to do and to see the ever-becoming of his family. He loved his brother Dean and sister “Bets” and commented recently how much he missed them and his parents. For all he did, for all he meant, for all he grew, for all he endured and persevered – we are forever grateful.

     Dallas is survived by his wife Sharolyn, daughters and families Tamie Grauberger (the late Don Grauberger), Britni and Eric Schmaltz (Cambree, Kinlee, Cutler Dallas), Lindsay and Kevin Buck (Hazel, Blair, Wesley Dallas); Donelle and son-in-law John Pankowski, Bethany and Danny Ehrich (Barrett, Teagan, Ryker, Koi Dallas), Emily and Braden Hubert (Brinley, Weston, Hadlee Dallas), Wyatt and Brittany Pankowski (Nash); and Crystal Leach (the late Kent Leach), Courtney and Brodie Miklos, Madeline and Kaylee Leach. nephews and nieces: Diana Stevens, Jason, Paul and John Post, Maureen Stahr; Ron and John Lake, Patsy Peters and Deb Conklin; Dan and Marty Ring and Jan Brandenburg; Sherry Knott, Kim Bartling, Kenneth and Douglas Thiel – and all spouses and further generations of family. Lifelong friend – Jack Vincent, and Family-like member - Tracy Collins, and many neighbors.

     Dallas mourned those preceding him in death:  parents Harold and Irene, brothers Dean Lake (Delores), Martin; sister Betty Ring (Vergil). in-laws: Dr. George P. and Emory Post and Lois and Don Thiel; sons-in-law Don Grauberger and Kent Leach, nephew Tim Post; great-nephews Lucas Stahr and Donny Thiel.