Dale C. Molitor

Dale C. Molitor, age 90 of St. Peter and formerly of Worthington, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Benedictine Living in St. Peter, Minnesota.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the Catholic Church of St. Peter, in St. Peter, with visitation beginning at 9:00am. Military Honors will directly follow the service at the church. To leave a condolence for the family, or view the service livestream, visit www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Dale was born March 9, 1935, in Sibley, Iowa as the ninth child of Charles Molitor and Anna (Clemens) Molitor (just minutes before his identical twin brother Don). He spoke often of growing up on the farm and shared many fond memories of his large family of older brothers and sisters and their hard work and adventures while growing up. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Ashton, Iowa, working various jobs around the area before joining the army in 1955.

Dale was very proud of his military service and the role he obtained as his unit’s trusted Company Clerk. He frequently referred to his time stationed outside Munich, Germany, as a highly valued time in his life where he made life-long friends and learned life-long lessons. He was a member of the St. Peter American Legion Post #37 and was a recipient of the Soldier of the Month award, a recipient of a Quilt of Valor, and served as chaplain of the St. Peter American Legion Motorcycle Club.

After one re-enlistment, Dale returned to the farm where he helped his dad and reintegrated into the Ashton community, socializing with his local friends and acquaintances. It was one morning after a particularly short night that his dad suggested, not so subtly, that “perhaps you should look for a job.” This suggestion prompted him to move to Worthington, where a friend from high school suggested he go out to the airport to talk to Eldon Sorensen who had a business manufacturing agricultural aviation equipment. This job, which started “on a trial basis” eventually led to Dale purchasing the business when Eldon retired and successfully led and expanded the business (Sorensen Sprayers, Inc.) for over 50 years. While Sorensen Sprayers was his main job, he was also a serial entrepreneur starting or partnering in many businesses in multiple areas of interest, including camping equipment, satellite television, nutrition products, water conditioning, automotive fuel conversion, people-powered vehicles, farming, real estate, and seasonal land leasing. Dale was, at heart, a man of possibilities and positive thinking; always looking for new opportunities and full of interesting ideas.

On February 24, 1962, Dale married Jane Heinrichs and became a devoted family man. He was a caring and patient father who served as a role model for not only his immediate family, but also for extended family and community members. His wife, Jane, was his long-time partner in life. They always parented in tandem, presenting a united front when it came to decisions regarding their children. Dale and Jane were married for 55 years.

Dale was a well-respected member of his community, both in Worthington, and later in his more recently adopted hometown of St. Peter, where he moved in 2015. Wherever he lived, he supported his local church and community. He was quietly generous to those in need and was always looking for ways he could help, whether it be family, neighbor, friend, or stranger. He will be remembered for making a friend out of any new people he met.

Dale was a member of the St. Peter Catholic church and was a long-time member and leader of St. Mary’s Catholic church and school in Worthington, serving on the school board for many years. For decades while living in Worthington, Dale would rise at dawn on Sundays in the winter to clear snow from the church parking lot, so people could get to church services safely. He was a man whose actions echoed his beliefs.

Dale is survived by his four children David (Diane) Molitor of Brandon FL, Susan Molitor of Houston, TX, Richard (Jackie) Molitor of Kilkenny, MN, and Douglas (Kate) Molitor of Inver Grove Heights, MN; nine grandchildren Elizabeth Molitor, Christopher Molitor, and Peter Molitor of Lakeland, FL, Katy Molitor of Houston, TX, Alex (Marlo) Molitor of Chatfield, MN, Nate (Courtney) Molitor of Faribault, MN, Akalie (Nolan) Wetzel of Elysian, MN, Leo (Jennifer) Molitor of St. Paul, MN and Gabe Molitor of Minneapolis, MN: and three great grandchildren Wesley, Ella and Lukas.

He is preceded in death by his wife Jane in 2017 as well as his parents and nine brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following:

Casa de Esperanza – House of Hope for Children, Houston, TX: https://casahope.org/

Or

Sheriff’s Youth Project of Le Sueur County, MN: https://www.sheriffsyouthproject.com/

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