Dale “Buzz” Oliphant

BOTCHLET, CONTI, DEAN, FRERK, MOLLENHAUER, MOREY, NICKERSON, OLIPHANT, PECK, REEVES, STAMPS

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 3/21/2025 at 16:55:26

Dale “Buzz” Oliphant, 89, of Gallatin, Tennessee and formerly of Rowley, Iowa, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Friday morning, March 7, 2025, at High Point Health-Sumner Hospital in Gallatin, Tennessee.

Dale Eugene Oliphant was born June 18, 1935, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Dale Vernon & Cora Ella (Mollenhauer) Oliphant. He received his education from the Cedar Rapids Schools.

Buzz honorably served stateside and in Germany in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his military service, Dale worked at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. Dale was united in marriage to Constance Nadine Peck on April 20, 1958, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, Iowa. They were blessed with three children: Phil, Linda and Sandra. Buzz and Connie farmed southwest of Quasqueton, near Rowley, for 60 years.

They established Walking O Quarter Horses, raising registered Quarter Horses for over 50 years. Buzz and Connie were recognized by the American Quarter Horse Association in 2016 for this achievement. Their mare Sangaree was the first horse inducted into the Iowa Quarter Horse Association (IQHA) Hall of Fame in 2001. Buzz and Connie were inducted into the IQHA Hall of Fame in 2007, and in 2023 two more of their mares Twistie Cue and Step Nicely were inducted. Dale was also a farm machinery salesman and trucking dispatcher. In May of 2023, Buzz moved to Tennessee to be near his daughter Linda and family. He was a member of the Church of Christ United in Winthrop.

Buzz is survived by his 2 Daughters: Linda (Lou) Conti of Castalian Springs, Tennessee &
Sandra (Glen) Nickerson of Springdale, AR; Daughter-In-Law: Cathy Oliphant of El Reno, OK; Seven Grandchildren: Beth (Matt) Nickerson Dean, Cayla Oliphant Frerk, Brian (Heather) Nickerson, Morgan (Keith) Nickerson Reeves, Louie (Joshalyn) Conti, Lindsey (Derrick) Conti Stamps, and Katie Morey; Two Step Grandchildren: Landon (Kayla) and Reese Botchlet; 19 Great Grandchildren: Trevor Frerk, Tanner Frerk, Carter Frerk, Lillian Morey, Madelyn Morey, Nataley Frerk, Harper Dean, Baylie Nickerson, Madison Nickerson, Elizabeth Conti, Alyssa Nickerson, Summer Oliphant, Bryce Nickerson, Huxley Reeves, Alivia Conti, Vivien Reeves, Ella Jane Stamps, Reagan Werner, and Elijah Stamps; and one step-great-granddaughter Sutton Mae Botchlet; Brother: Wendell Oliphant of Independence; Sister-In-Law: Marilyn Peck of Winthrop and 3 Nieces and a Nephew.

Buzz was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Connie on October 19, 2016; son: Phil Oliphant; grandson: Jeff Oliphant; brother-in-law: Glen Peck; sister-in-law: JoAnn Oliphant; and nephew Garrett Oliphant.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Saturday, March 15, 2024, at the Church of Christ United, Winthrop, Iowa with Rev. Vicki Engelmann officiating.

Visitation: 5:00-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Fawcett-Schmitz Funeral Home in Winthrop and for one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

Interment with Military Graveside Service: Oliphant Cemetery, near Midway, Iowa, following a meal after the funeral service.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com