By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
July is looking to be a special month for Ellinwood's Dale Burroughs. He celebrated his 88th birthday on July 2, and celebrated 66 years of marriage to his wife, Mildred, on July 7. Last month, Ellinwood Rotary announced Dale was the 2023 After Harvest Festival Parade Grand Marshal. He will be in one of the first vehicles to head down Main Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 15.
"The parade goes right by my house," he said. "I think it's a great honor. My family will all be here so I can wave at them when I go by."
Dale was born in Lyons but his parents moved to Ellinwood when he was just six months old. He's been there ever since. He spent nine years as a parts manager at Taylor Equipment in Great Bend, then operated The House Works, his own home remodeling business for 25 years.
"I laid carpet and vinyl and painted," he said. "I told everybody I did everything inside a house except wash windows."
After stepping down from that role, Dale drove the activity bus for USD 355 Ellinwood for 32 years. He retired two years ago but still fills in when called upon. He completed four Bike Across Kansas events, and has been actively involved with First Baptist Church south of Ellinwood since 1954.
"I have held just about every position in the church except preaching. I preach to my wife and that's about it," he joked."
Dale and Mildred had two children, David and Dana. David passed away in 2021, but Dale and Mildred now have five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. All but one granddaughter live within 50 miles of Ellinwood.