Dale Monte Dean

Dale Monte Dean passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 21st, 2019.

Dale was born in Ekalaka, Montana, March 18th, 1951, to Leslie and Nellie (Guyer) Dean. He was raised on the family ranch west of Ekalaka. He attended various country schools, where his older brother Jay taught him in 8th grade. He graduated from Carter County High School in 1969. He met the love of his life Sandee Kuntz at a dance in Circle, Montana. From this union they had three children, April, Andy and Adam who he was very proud of.

Dale worked numerous jobs around the Circle and Brockway area including Bonds Cash Market, Hale's Distributing, Rudy Haynie Farm/Ranch, Hinnaland trucking, LeRoy Jordan Trucking and State of Montana Highway Department. He relocated to Lewistown to be closer to his children and families and was employed with Century Companies until being diagnosed with cancer forcing his retirement.

He was the go-to man everyone called upon for advice about loading or hauling heavy equipment.. Most often, he was a quiet man of few words but when he spoke, everyone listened. He was a man of many hats that included: son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, neighbor, husband, dad, papa, firefighter, gold miner, rockhound, coin collector and the very best truck driver and heavy equipment operator.

When he wasn't behind the wheel of large machinery, Dale was a family man, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends camping, four wheeling, jeeping, gold mining, rock hunting, and watching his grandchildren participate in sports, dance, pine car racing and other events.

Dale battled through three different cancer diagnoses over the past 10 years. This last time, he grew weary and wanted to be done fighting the awful disease. He told his family he was ready to pave highways in heaven.

Dale is survived by Sandee, his loving life partner of 48 years, daughter April (Jon) Haugrose, son Andy (Stacy) Dean and son Adam (Dawn) Dean; six grandchildren: Koltin, Brayden, Jaxen, George, Jullene and Kyann. Three brothers: Larry, Jay and Barnet (Shelley); two sisters: Phyllis Dean Hughes and Lois (Jim) Dean Johnstone; brothers-in-law Ray (Linda) Kuntz and Harvey (Patsy) Kuntz; Sisters-in-law Kathy Kuntz, Ruth (Rudy) Haynie, Bonnie (Bill) Gardner, Shirley Sheetz and numerous nieces, nephews.

Dale was preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents Leslie and Nellie Dean, mother-in-law Monica Kuntz and father-in-law John Kuntz; brother Robert Dean; brothers-inlaw Vernon Jardee, Nate Hughes, Len Kuntz and Perry Kuntz; sisters-in-law Sharon Kuntz, Paula Kuntz, Beth Dean and Janice Dean; granddaughter Andrea Dean; nieces Londa and Brenda Kuntz, and great niece Chaela Kuntz.