Dale Lee Garberding

Dale Lee Garberding, 80, of Missoula passed away Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 1:14 a.m. in the kind and compassionate care of the St. Patrick Hospital’s team. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 20, 2024 at Garden City Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever!

Dale Garberding, son of Fred and Gloria (Kedslie) Garberding, was born September 13, 1944 in Seattle, Washington. Dale always put his best foot forward, working hard and keeping busy. He attended high school in Seattle where he played tackle and centerguard for their football team, bringing home multiple championships. Dale also found time to wrestle for the high school team. He graduated college with a degree in psychology and sports medicine. After college he went on to coach the football team at his past high school. During his first job he met his first wife, Maureen Garberding, together they raised two boys, Paul and Bryan Garberding. Dale pursued a career in construction focusing on concrete and high-rise structural builds. He quickly gained respect on his crew becoming their foreman. Surviving many dangerous situations, including falling off a high-rise and being in an accident between two concrete trucks suffering a severe back injury. He then bought, owned and ran a gas station while attending college, helping provide and care for his children.

Time passed and the gas station was sold to help pay for a move to Heron, Montana. In search of a peaceful farm life to escape the rat race of the city. 

He was a naturalist and believed in self-sustainability. He guided backpacking trips, some from Mount Rainier to Mount Hood. He was in the scouts and became a great role model as a scout leader. Along the way he was united in marriage to Roberta Squires. While married to Roberta, he helped raise her daughter, Stacy Belcourt, creating their forever bond. He helped put them both through college. He helped raise his grandson, Ty Belcourt, so his daughter, Stacy, could complete her studies in cosmetology. 

In his retirement, after managing a four-story independent living facility for 55 plus, he loved to stay busy in the garden and take on small projects. He had a green thumb and could grow anything, even talking to his plants encouraging them to grow just like the countless lives he impacted on his journey. He was known as a hardworking, caring man to his core. 

He always supported his grandson’s dreams and goals, encouraging him to stay active and keep focused. He made it all the games and championships; from gymnastics to basketball and rugby; later he supported Ty’s success in mixed martial arts. 

The night dale passed away, his grandson, Ty Belcourt, was able to share a few special moments laughing and talking while enjoying the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rocket basketball game and his family had full faith they would see him the next day. 

He was strong as an ox and as smart as a fox, forever missed, loved and cherished.

Left cherish his memory are his wife, Roberta Garberding; step-daughter, Stacy Belcourt and her son, Ty; children, Bryan Garberding; Paul Garberding; step-daughter, Tammy (Darrel) Pudar; step-son, Dwayne Belcourt; grandchildren, Katrina Garberding; Eric Garberding; Falon (Jesse) Pudar; Grant Pudar; Travis Pudar; ex-wife, Maureen Gerberding; siblings, Terry Garberding; Lynn (Sissel) Garberding; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Gloria Garberding; brother, Gary (Maureen) Garberding; and sister-in-law, Corky Garberding.