Dennis L. Lalko

– Dennis Lee Lalko died unexpectedly in his sleep Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015, at his residence in Clinton of natural causes. He was 56 years old.

He was born Jan. 16, 1959, in Cass City, Michigan, to John and Genevieve Lalko. He grew up in Kingston, Michigan, working on the family farm and attending grade school and high school there. He was an outstanding scholar and athlete, participating in track, basketball and football. He set numerous rushing records at running back for Kingston High which remain today. He was elected king of his senior class and valedictorian.

He completed his formal education in Michigan and then chose to head west, settling in Oregon. While working for Marlette Homes there, he met and married Jacqueline Barr. Not long after he was hired by Pape Material Handling Co. The couple eventually settled in Montana, initially in Kalispell and eventually in Missoula when the company decided to open a store here. He and Jackie separated and divorced in 2001.

In 2002 he met Diane Welty and the couple got engaged in 2004. He continued working for Pape and was manager for their Montana operations at the time of his passing.

He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed farming, ranching, car racing and golfing. He was so loved and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his fiancée, Diane M. Welty of Clinton; sister, Donna (Randy) Bang and family of Deford, Michigan; brother, Kenneth Lalko of Beaumont, Texas, and his family; brothers, Paul and Stephen Lalko and their families of Kingston, Michigan; along with numerous cousins.

Cremation has taken place at Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula. The family will be holding two Celebration of Life ceremonies later in the year, one to be held in Missoula the other in Kingston. The times and dates of these celebrations will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to your local animal shelter or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Read Dennis Lalko's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.