Recently, Kalispell lost a beloved citizen and devoted community servant.
Dale E. Gifford Jr., passed away peacefully on Sept. 13 at the age of 71.
Dale was born on June 29, 1940, to Dale and Ida Gifford in Elkhorn, Wis. His family then moved to Hudson, Wis. in 1944, where he soon discovered a passion for hunting and fishing. It would be a passion that lasted for a lifetime. He attended and graduated from Hudson High School in 1958. Upon graduation, Dale served in active duty in the National Guard. After his service in the military, Dale worked briefly for the Hudson Police Department before relocating to the Flathead Valley in 1967, first to Whitefish, then to Kalispell in 1968. In Kalispell, he honorably served the community for 18 years as a patrolman, shift sergeant and detective sergeant with the Kalispell Police Department. Among his numerous accolades, he was bestowed the distinction of Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the State of Montana. Dale's commitment to the community continued with serving six years as a Justice of the Peace for Flathead County. He then worked in juvenile detention for both Flathead and Missoula Counties.
After retirement he resided for a period of time in Page, Ariz., then in Dewey, Ariz. His true character showed as he continued to develop many lifelong friendships through his love of golf.
So many people in Kalispell have been touched by Dale and his involvement in the area. He was a member in good standing with the Eagles. As an avid golfer, Dale was a member with the KGA at Buffalo Hill, where he carded two holes-in-one during his playing career. You could always find him on the first tee box at the crack of noon, with all of his favorite golfing buddies. Dale continued to enjoy all of the outdoor activities that made Montana special in his heart. Hunting and fishing trips filled his calender,with a special pleasure for his time in the Swan and the Thompson.
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dale knew what a tremendously caring individual he was. He was a man of God, often heard saying, "He was headed up the hill to the big House to see the big Guy," on Sunday mornings.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Debbie; his son, Mark of Everett, Wash.; his brother, David and wife, Mari, of Hudson, Wis., and their two children, Jamee of Woodbury, Minn., and Michael of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Kay Couch and husband, Wayne, and their two children, Michael and Jennifer Couch, and Kari and Scott Benoy, all of Baldwin, Wis.; and his stepdaughter, Melanie Reiner and husband, Nathan, of Kalispell, and three grandchildren, Brock, Amber, and Elizabeth; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Dale Sr., and Ida.
Private services were held on Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family.
To send condolences to the family please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dale Gifford Jr, please visit our flower store.
Dale E. Gifford Jr., passed away peacefully on Sept. 13 at the age of 71.
Dale was born on June 29, 1940, to Dale and Ida Gifford in Elkhorn, Wis. His family then moved to Hudson, Wis. in 1944, where he soon discovered a passion for hunting and fishing. It would be a passion that lasted for a lifetime. He attended and graduated from Hudson High School in 1958. Upon graduation, Dale served in active duty in the National Guard. After his service in the military, Dale worked briefly for the Hudson Police Department before relocating to the Flathead Valley in 1967, first to Whitefish, then to Kalispell in 1968. In Kalispell, he honorably served the community for 18 years as a patrolman, shift sergeant and detective sergeant with the Kalispell Police Department. Among his numerous accolades, he was bestowed the distinction of Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for the State of Montana. Dale's commitment to the community continued with serving six years as a Justice of the Peace for Flathead County. He then worked in juvenile detention for both Flathead and Missoula Counties.
After retirement he resided for a period of time in Page, Ariz., then in Dewey, Ariz. His true character showed as he continued to develop many lifelong friendships through his love of golf.
So many people in Kalispell have been touched by Dale and his involvement in the area. He was a member in good standing with the Eagles. As an avid golfer, Dale was a member with the KGA at Buffalo Hill, where he carded two holes-in-one during his playing career. You could always find him on the first tee box at the crack of noon, with all of his favorite golfing buddies. Dale continued to enjoy all of the outdoor activities that made Montana special in his heart. Hunting and fishing trips filled his calender,with a special pleasure for his time in the Swan and the Thompson.
Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dale knew what a tremendously caring individual he was. He was a man of God, often heard saying, "He was headed up the hill to the big House to see the big Guy," on Sunday mornings.
He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Debbie; his son, Mark of Everett, Wash.; his brother, David and wife, Mari, of Hudson, Wis., and their two children, Jamee of Woodbury, Minn., and Michael of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Kay Couch and husband, Wayne, and their two children, Michael and Jennifer Couch, and Kari and Scott Benoy, all of Baldwin, Wis.; and his stepdaughter, Melanie Reiner and husband, Nathan, of Kalispell, and three grandchildren, Brock, Amber, and Elizabeth; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Dale Sr., and Ida.
Private services were held on Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family.
To send condolences to the family please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.