Dennis Yeager

Dennis Yeager

77, of Libby

Dennis “Dennie” Eugene Yeager, 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 4, 2016, following a year-long battle with cancer. 

Dennie was born March 29, 1939, in Havre, to Francis “Frank” and Kathryn “Katy” (Burkhartsmeyer) Yeager. At a young age, Dennie and his family moved to small communities along the Montana hi-line where his mother was an educator and his father served as principal or superintendent, instilling a lasting appreciation for the value of education. Dennie also spent a great deal of his childhood developing an impeccable work ethic working at the family ranches in Gilford and Hingham. 

Dennie attended Havre Central High School where he played basketball, was involved in boxing and developed a love of music. Following high school, Dennie attended Northern Montana College, transferring to University of Montana where he completed his degree in Music and Education. After graduating from college, Dennie entered the U.S. Army. In December 1963, while Dennie was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., he met Ricki Hanlen, a student at University of Missouri Columbia, on a blind date. Following a whirlwind romance, on August 22, 1964, Dennie and Ricki married at Amarillo Air Force Chapel in Amarillo, Texas.

Dennie moved his new bride to Sitka, Alaska, where he and Ricki began their marriage and Dennie started his career in education, overseeing the Choral Music program for the Sitka School District. In 1966, Dennie and Ricki welcomed their first child, Kyle. The following year, in 1967, the young family returned to Montana where Dennie returned to his alma mater, the University of Montana, where he continued his education in Psychology and Counseling, earning his MA in Education. While at the University, he joined the faculty as Assistant Financial Aid Director. 

In 1969, Dennie and Ricki welcomed a second child, Kevin, while still residing in Missoula. In 1970, this family of four moved to Havre where Dennie became one of three counselors at Havre High School. During the summers while in Havre, Dennie worked laying pipe for the Tiger Ridge gas fields. In 1973, Dennie and Ricki moved to Libby, where Dennie became the junior high counselor. In 1979, they welcomed their third son, Keith. Later in his career, Dennie left counseling for a short time to teach music at Libby elementary schools. During the summers of his time as an educator at Libby Schools, Dennie also worked for the railroad inspecting rail. Dennie and Ricki welcomed their daughter, Kimberly, in 1981. 

Following the graduations of his two older sons, Dennie was hired as the Director at Academic Resource Center at Flathead Valley Community College, Lincoln County Campus. Following his resignation from the community college, Dennie took a position part-time as an adult case manager with Western Montana Mental Health Center, working into a full-time position as team leader before retiring in 2006. 

Dennie was a lover of all things wild and natural, spending much of his retirement outdoors. Dennie was a purist when it came to fly-fishing, teaching all of his children his love of the Kootenai River. He also loved fishing the many lakes surrounding his hometown of Libby. Dennie was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, finding appreciation for the beauty of the area he lived. Always a pragmatist, Dennie was continually educating himself with the writings of Carl Rogers. Dennie was an avid reader and learner, continually gaining knowledge through his reading. 

Dennie was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Yeager; parents Frank and Katy Yeager; a sister Joanne McConwell, and a brother, Jim Yeager. Dennie is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Ricki (Hanlen) Yeager; sons Kyle (Fe) Yeager, Keith Yeager; daughter Kimberly (Nate) Yeager-Little; grandchildren Brad, Andy, and Alyssa, as well as grandchildren Killian and Grayson and great-grandson,Tristan. 

Visitation will be Monday, May 9, 2016, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations c/o Kevin Yeager Memorial Scholarship, Montana State University Northern Foundation, P.O. Box 1691, Havre, MT 59501, or make a donation in memory of Dennie Yeager c/o Hospice at Home Options Home Health Kalispell, 275 Corporate Dr. #600 Kalispell, MT 59901. Online condolences and memorials may be made to www.schnackenbergfh.com