Dale William Jones

Dale William Jones, age 87, of Walker, MN passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at his home in Walker with his loving family by his side.  He was born in Minneapolis, MN on September 18, 1938, the son of William and Gladys (Landborg) Jones. 

Dale attended school at Murray High School in St. Paul and joined the U.S. Air Force where he served his country proudly from 1954 to 1959.  Following his service, he met and married Harriet D. Chouinard in 1960.  They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.  Dale took employment with the Coca-Cola bottle company where he was a route salesman.  During that time, he was told of an opportunity to lease land on the Leech Lake reservation.  Dale had a fortunate accident when he broke his leg.  This led him to sell real estate full-time, which led to bigger and better things for him and the family.  Soon he and 6 other people started Counselor Reality in Columbia Heights, MN which was a company that was 100% owned by the agents that ran it.  Very soon, Dale would find himself creating a new branch in the Old Post Office in Anoka for his office.  He and Harriet moved to Shingobee Bay in 1982, and he started to develop properties on Leech Lake and the surrounding area.  In 1985 he built his first apartment complex, which was May View Manor in Walker.  From there Dale used his talents to help people all over Northern Minnesota to obtain affordable housing.  In 1986 Dale and Harriet formed D.W. Jones, Inc., which is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

Dale enjoyed biking so much that he and Harriet once rode bicycles from Walker all the way to Minneapolis.  He also liked to walk and think and would often use this to ponder an idea.  If someone brought Dale an idea or a problem to solve, he would say, “I have to walk on that.”  He would take that time to figure out the situation.  At one point, Dale walked around the entire Leech Lake.  As the community knows, Dale loved talking to and meeting new people.  He was also a person who had a tremendous number of friends around the world.  Dale was a member of the Walker Rotary Club, Walker Area Foundation and proud sponsor of the Big Dig at Walker Bay Days.

Dale’s family would like to thank Home Instead and the St. Joseph’s Hospice for all the care that they gave to Dale and the family.

The family that Dale joins again are his parents, William, and Gladys, and one sister Sharon Jones.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are the love of his life; Harriet; daughter, Lori (Skip) Duchesneau; son, Larry (Chad Furman) Jones; sister, Merrilee Goodwin; grandchildren, Ashley (Cody) Turner, Amy (Chris) Efta, Ryan (Kelly McCain) Jones, Andrew (Madelyn Tews) Duchesneau and Jacob (Rachel) Jones, 10 great grandchildren, other relatives and numerous friends.

A celebration of Dale’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 19, 2026, with visitation held from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service all held at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker, MN.  Pastor Matthew McWaters will officiate.  Honorary Pallbearers will be John and Betty Zell and Roy and Susan Hathcock.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Walker American Legion Post #134 Honor Guard following the service at the church.  Inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Friends of the Walker Public Library, P.O. Box 550, Walker, MN 56484 and the Walker American Legion Post #134, P. O. Box 186, Walker, MN 56484.

Dale’s Care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

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