Aubrey Dunkum

Aubrey Koefod Dunkum, 91, of Missoula, passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. Aubrey was born May 21, 1922, in Minneapolis to Marguerite (Koefod) and Aubrey Robinette Dunkum. He attended public schools while the family lived in South Minneapolis, just a few blocks from beautiful Lake of the Isles.

The Depression years were grim, so further schooling was out of the question and in 1940, Aubrey joined the U.S. Marine Corps. In June 1941, the 6 Marines were sent to Iceland as part of the

1 Marine Provisional Brigade. The Marines returned to the states in February 1942. Aubrey then joined the

9 Marines, and after nine months in New Zealand, the regiment was sent to Guadalcanal. Aubrey and his company made first wave in Bougainville and Guam. He was wounded in the Bougainville landing.

After the war, Aubrey married Patricia Petrie and they returned to Minneapolis. Together, they had three children: Alixanne, David and Susan. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Aubrey attended the University of Minnesota, receiving his M.A. degree in romance languages in 1950. From 1948 to 1950 Aubrey taught Spanish and French at the university, and later did graduate work at the University of Madrid. Aubrey and his wife were divorced in 1958 and he married Patricia Freeman. Together, they had two children, Melissa and John.

Aubrey's proficiency in Spanish opened the way for a varied career that eventually led him to work and live in a wide variety of interesting places including Montevideo, Uruguay; Guatemala City, Guatemala; the Dominican Republic; and Miami, Paris and Madrid.

Aubrey retired early in 1975, and the family moved to Missoula, which was Patricia's hometown. For several years, Aubrey taught Spanish at the University of Montana. Aubrey was also very active in the Missoula theater scene, took part in summer theater in Polson, and was much involved with the Missoula Choral Festival. He and Patricia also traveled extensively.

Aubrey was a lifelong Episcopalian. For many years he sang in the choir at Holy Spirit Church, and for 25 years was a lay Eucharistic minister. His later years were occupied with various volunteer organizations including Radio Reading Service and Meals on Wheels.

Aubrey is survived by his wife Patricia and his five children: Alixanne (Bob) Davis; David (Faye Ganley) Minty; Susan (Russ) Riehm; Melissa (Bill) Yager; and John Dunkum. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Alixanne (Sam) Simmons, Ericson (Elizabeth) Davis, Erin Ganley, Alison and Christopher Riehm and Peter, Andrew and Sarah Yager. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Eliza and Everett Simmons and Edward Davis.

A service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Holy Spirit Parish with a reception to follow.

Read Aubrey Dunkum's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.