Dale A "Shorty" Pond

Mass of Christian Burial for Dale A. "Shorty" Pond will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Alma, Nebraska, with Father Jamie Hottovy officiating. Rosary will be held prior to the services at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held in the Alma Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Fay Cady American Legion Post #118 of Alma in conjunction with the U.S. Army Military Honors Team.

Dale Arnold "Shorty" Pond, 85 years of age, of Kearney, Nebraska (formerly of Almena, Kansas), passed away on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at the Mount Carmel Home-Keens Memorial in Kearney. Dale was born on March 19, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska, the third of six children born to Floyd Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Lochert) Pond. He received his primary education from District #58 South of Alma and then attended Alma Public Schools, graduating from Alma High School.

Following his education, Dale engaged in farming in Alma for two years, until his parents sold the farm and moved to a farm three miles east of Almena. On February 10, 1953, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on November 30, 1954. He then returned to Almena, where he resided on the farm for his remaining years until his health required him to move to Mount Carmel. Dale wrote a weekly column called, "By the Pond," for the Prairie Dog Press newspaper in Almena. The column pertained to information about being a steward of the land and multiple topics regarding life experiences with nature. Growing up in rural Nebraska, Dale and his brothers were outdoorsmen who learned to hunt and trap at an early age. As a fur trapper, Dale sold many animal pelts and the money was used to purchase a new car. He also enjoyed fishing.

Dale loved to play the guitar, and shared his talents at community activities for many years. He was an avid reader; especially non-fiction books. He was a very knowledgeable person who was respected by his peers and family. Dale was a member the St. Francis Catholic Church in Norton, Kansas, where he was active singing in the choir. In Almena, Dale was also actively involved in their community celebration each year re-enacting the past.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Lyle Pond, Keith Pond and his wife, Mary, and Don "Tuffy" Pond and his wife, Shirley; brother-in-law: Bernard Hodge; and a niece, Kathy Neville.

Dale leaves to celebrate his life, his two sisters: Marilyn Hodge of Holdrege, Nebraska and Sharon Snyder and her husband, Ken of Georgetown, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Dale's honor and will be designated by the family at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.