Dale E. Hoium

Dale E. Hoium, 79, of Red Wing, died Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus in Rochester.

Dale was born on November 20, 1945, in Albert Lea, MN to Robert and Fern (Davison) Hoium, who later divorced in 1948. Dale and his older brother, Marland, grew up first in Albert Lea, and then in Austin, MN after Fern married Arthur E. Houston in 1956. The family moved to rural Austin in 1960 and Dale attended high school in Elkton, MN. He graduated from Elkton High School in 1964.

In 1965, Dale decided to start learning the optical business and went to work for Walman Optical Company in Austin. He married Nancy Clouse (originally from Spring Valley, MN) in 1966. Afterwards, they lived briefly Austin before moving to Cary, a suburb of Raleigh, NC in 1967, where Dale worked for Ridgeway Optical Co. in Raleigh. Shortly before moving from North Carolina to Denver in 1969, Dale and Nancy were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Valery. Dale was employed by the R.L. Hanson Optical Co. in Denver from 1969-1972.

In early 1972, Dale moved with his family from Colorado to Red Wing, MN, where he was hired by Red Wing Optical Co. and soon became the managing optician there. In 1983, he bought the company from the previous owner. Nancy also participated by working “out front” and handling the clerical duties. The business was later sold in 2006.

Besides working and managing Red Wing Optical, Dale was also involved in various other retail business activities during the 1990’s and the early years of the new century. One of these ventures was Expressions Fine Lingerie, which his daughter, Valery managed. A year after its conception, Dale brought five tanning beds into the business and it was then known as Expressions Lingerie and Tanning. Dale also owned, River Reach Dinning, in the old armory building in downtown Red Wing. He also was part-owner of Red Wing Photo, located in Burnside.

Dale and Nancy eventually divorced in 1997 but nevertheless remained good friends throughout the succeeding years.

Regarding non-business interests, Dale “threw his hat in to the local political ring” by running for a seat on the RW City Council in 1985. Although he lost in that particular election bid, he ran again for the same seat, in a City Council special election the following year. This time he won, and served on the City Council from 1986-1993.

Yet another one of Dale’s extracurricular interests was his participation in the Civil Air Patrol. After joining in 1986, he held the following positions: Red Wing Composite Squadron Commander 1986-1992; MN Wing Chief of Staff 1993-1997; MN Wing Vice Commander 1997-2000; MN Wing Commander along with a promotion to the rank of Colonel 2000-2004; North Central Region Chief of Staff 2006-2009 and North Central Region Vice Commander 2009-2012.

Dale was most proud of establishing and developing the Aliveo Military Museum in downtown Red Wing. The museum was started with his military memorabilia collection and his friend and fellow CAP member, Bruce Sexton’s collection. Once the doors were open in 2009, others donated their family’s military treasures to the museum. Dale was the curator, promoter and janitor of the museum, as well as CEO of the board of directors.

Dale often said, “not bad for a little boy raised on welfare”.

He is survived by his daughter, Valery; granddaughters, Madison and Samantha and grandson, Spencer; step-brother, Jeff Houston. Also various nieces, nephews and cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Fern and step-father, Arthur and brother Marland as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Dale’s life will take place at the Aliveo Military Museum, 321 Bush St. in downtown Red Wing at a later date.