Dale Karkanen

Dale Karkanen passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 29, just two days after his 87th trip around the sun. His family was at his side, which gave him great comfort in his final days.

Dale was born October 24,1929 at the old St. Patricks Hospital in Missoula and raised in Bonner, MT. He was the third generation from Finnish immigrants who came to western Montana in the late 1800s. He was a lifelong resident of the area.

Dale graduated from Missoula County High School in 1947 and attended the University of MT Forestry school until he was drafted in 1951. He was assigned to the Army Engineers stationed at Fort Lewis and Fort Flagler, WA.

During his service, Dale was present at several atmospheric nuclear weapons tests carried out at the Nevada Proving Grounds near Desert Rock, NV in 1951-1953.

He was proud of his military service as an Atomic Veteran and was a lifelong member of the National Association of Atomic Veterans and the American Legion.

When he returned to Montana, Dale began a lifelong career as a forester, check scaler and log yards manager working for the Anaconda Company then Champion International. He worked his way into a management position and was the log yards supervisor for the Northern Rocky Mountain Region of Champion International Corporation.

The highlight of his life was meeting Dorothy Gilman in Alberton, MT during his working travels to the woods. Dale and Dorothy were married in Missoula on September 24,1955 at St. Paul Lutheran church.

They raised 4 children and many pets in the home they built in the Rattlesnake valley. An accomplished carpenter, Dale also built a comfortable cabin on the east shore of Flathead Lake, where the family enjoyed many years of fishing and simple relaxation. They were in good enough health to be able to spend several days at their Lake cabin with their son Steve on their 60th anniversary last year.

After retirement from Champion International in 1984, Dale and Dorothy traveled throughout the West in their motorhome and particularly enjoyed the desert southwest in the spring.

From the day he was old enough to carry a fly rod and shoot a rifle, Dale spent many days hunting, fishing and exploring his favorite Blackfoot River stomping grounds with his father, son’s and daughter.

His parents Jalmer (Yum) and Olga, sister Donna Karkanen and son in law Michael LaBrosse precede his passing.

He is survived by his spouse and best friend of 61 years Dorothy Karkanen and his 4 children; Steve (Beth Lemire) of Missoula, Linda Karkanen-LaBrosse of Auburn, WA, David (Jennifer) of Lake Oswego, OR and Doug (Dianna) of Camas, WA.

Dale and Dorothy enjoyed visiting with and hearing from their many grandchildren and step grandchildren; Taylor, Kirsten, Jacob, Dylan, Emily, Kayla, Angela and Nicole.

We wish to express our heart felt thanks to all the caregivers from Home Instead and Partners Hospice that worked with Dale and Dorothy these past few months.

Services will be held 1pm Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, where Dale and Dorothy have been lifelong members. Pastor Chris Flohr and Pastor Joe Wahlin will officiate. A reception will follow in the church basement.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund at 202 Brooks St, Missoula, MT 59801 or a charitable organization of their choice.

Garden City Funeral Home is assisting the family.