Dale D. Holder

Dale D. Holder went peacefully to be with the Lord on Monday, June 13th, 2011.

Dale was born on Dec. 29, 1929 to Ed and Connie Holder. He lived his entire life in Eureka, the town that he loved, graduating from Lincoln County High School in the class of 1949. He played football, basketball, and ran track while in school, beginning his lifelong love of sports.

He served in the Army during the Korean War with his twin brother Gale from 1951 to 1953.

He and his brothers, John, Duane, and Gale started the Kootenai Lumber Company, logging and running their own sawmill. He later went to work for Tobacco Valley Lumber Company, and then later Kennedy Stevens Mill.

In 1978, he went to work for the Eureka Public Schools as the Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor.

He loved this job because he was able to be at school with his kids. He was also a dedicated servant to his community. He was the mayor and police chief of Eureka from 1978-1993, he also served on the School Board, was a member of the City Council, and a board member of the Tobacco Valley Economic Development Council.

He was also a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Eureka where he served as a trustee. He finally retired in 1993 and said it was the best job he ever had.

He married Patricia Berner on Oct. 19, 1963, at First Baptist Church in Eureka. Together they raised three children who were always their priority in life. Our dad was an amazing man.

He was sweet and kind-hearted and loved all of us unconditionally and without end. He taught us all that family was the most important thing in the world.

He never judged anyone, and he was a friend from the moment he met you. He loved the simple things in life: camping, fishing, reading a good western, woodworking, and a good joke.

He delighted in any sport that any of his kids were involved in, and loved nothing more than watching countless games and track meets. He was a lifetime Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs fan. One of his last wishes was that the Cubs would trade Zambrano to the Yankees.

Dad’s greatest joy in life was being a Grandpa. He had an endless amount of time and patience for his grandchildren, and would do anything they asked of him. He looked forward to trips to Arizona to spend time with Logan and Alex and watching them play baseball.

He shared a kindred spirit with Rielly and was proud of his faith in God. He loved Abi’s sense of humor and her joy. He loved watching Tayler and Ryan play sports, always sitting in his spot on the bottom bleachers. He was convinced that since he had paid his $3, he was entitled to help the referees officiate. He will be missed more than any of us can begin to fathom.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Connie, his beloved twin brother Gale and brothers John and Duane and sisters Pat and Joyce. Also preceding him was his niece Lynn Ann Holder and nephews Bobby and Damon Clark.

He is survived by his wife of more than 47 years, Pat. His son Brent and wife Carrie, and their children Tayler and Ryan. His son Mitch and wife Amber, and their children Alex and Logan. His daughter Willa and husband Jason, and their children Rielly and Abi.

His sister Kretie Follensbee, his mother-in-law Mildred Berner, Sisters-in-law Lela and Jackie Holder, brother-in-law Harold Battest, and many nieces and nephews that he loved like his own children. He is also survived by his lifelong friends Dean Evins, Hubert Mackenzie, and Jim Broderick.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Dale Holder Memorial Scholarship fund, c/o of Pat Holder P.O. Box 504, Eureka, MT 59917 to be given out starting next school year, or make a donation to the Eureka Ambulance.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, June 20, at the First Baptist Church in Eureka with Pastor Jim Holder officiating.

A graveside service will follow with full military honors.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday June 20, 2011, at the Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.