OBITUARIES - Nov. 20

Delbert Mearl Palmer

January 10th, 1921 – November 14th, 2014

Del Palmer 93, a lifelong resident of Charlo passed away quietly at his home surrounded by family and friends on Friday, November 14. Where do we begin a life well lived? Del’s life began in Salem Oregon to E.M. and Ollie Suter- Palmer, on a Strawberry Farm. E.M. and Ollie decided to pick up stakes and move to Bainville, Mont., to try to make a go with three boys in tow.

During the depression with what little was left, for possessions and livestock, they boarded an immigrant train car and ended up getting off in Whitefish, being met with no feed or home  they traveled to Charlo to stay with family the Coulters rouging sugar beets for room and board. Come spring the family moved to Kalispell where Del graduated from Flathead High School. After one year in Kalispell, Del realized that Charlo was where he wanted to call home and everyone moved again.

Silverthorne Dairy was started in 1941 in Charlo with a foundation herd of ten registered Holstein heifers from Carnation Dairy in Washington. Del attended Montana State College in Bozeman and studied Agri-Economics. During a return home from school on the day he received his notice to serve in WWII, at the age of 23 he was in a farming accident while feeding hogs where he crushed both legs leaving him unable to walk for two years.  Del taught Ag/ FFA at Charlo High school starting in 1946, while also working on the dairy.

 Del met the love of his life Bernice Shriner from Arlee at a dance in Charlo. They were married at the Charlo Methodist Church on July 25, 1949. They raised four children on the farm: Skip, Dennis, David and Charlene. Del was an active man of the community, He started the first 4-H Club in Lake County with Clarence Savik, The Ninepipe Hustlers, Head of Montana Milk Producers was a member of D’Aste Club, President of ACE, and sat on the Charlo School Board. He was a proud supporter of the Charlo Football Program, and received Farmer of the year Award in 1979. He was an avid conservationist and hunter. Many an evening was spent in his brother Louis’ basement doing taxidermy. A man of vision – when driving through Charlo it is hard to envision Palmer Park without trees, but not one was there before Del.

He had a work ethic that was unparalleled.  At the age of 86 he climbed to the top of the Misson Range, with his grandson Justin. Even this year he grew a garden with corn and strawberries, enough to feed the community.  

Del was preceded in death by parents, brothers, one infant sister, and two sons, Dennis and David Palmer, both of Ronan.

Survivors include his wife Bernice of Charlo, special sister-in-law Elvira Osborn, Libby, son Skip (Sue) Palmer, Charlo; daughter Charlene Kay Palmer, Ronan, daughter-in-law Kim Palmer, Ronan; grandchildren Jenn Palmer-Nicholson (Jereme) Greydon, Rachel, Logan, Deer Lodge, Brian Palmer (Sue) Billy, Tori, Richard, Casie, Ronan, Caysie Palmer-Deardorff (Travis) Cassie and Shelby, St. Ignatius, Stacy Palmer (Cory) Bayleigh and Olivia, Bismark, N.D., Benjamin Montgomery (Brandy) Dylan, Ian, and Tommy;  grandson Justin Palmer of Charlo; sister Lois Statler of Spokane, Wash., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Del will be held at the Charlo School on Saturday, November 22, at 2 p.m. This will be a time for sharing and potluck lunch. Del always loved a good story and meal.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Loren Dennis Lowdermilk

Loren Dennis Lowdermilk passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 4 in Polson. Loren was born June 13, 1946 in Los Angeles, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Lorene Lowdermilk. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kathy Lowdermilk; his children, Laura Lowdermilk, Jeffrey Martin, and Rebecca Lowdermilk; his stepchildren, Brandon Bissegger, Bryan Bissegger, and Dustin Bissegger; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Messages and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

Earl W. Atchley

It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the death of Earl W. Atchley, who passed on Nov. 8 in Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Polson. Earl was born in Miles City on Feb. 11, 1920 to Alice and Ethan Atchley. Earl worked for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs for 38 years as a surveyor then was promoted to ditch rider, a job that entailed keeping the rivers and streams free of beaver dams and other debris so the local farmers could have water for irrigating their crops.

Eventually he received promotion to Irrigation Control in the summer and power in the winter, which meant full time, year-round work. We had to live at company quarters wherever he was stationed, i.e. Valley View, Moiese, Arlee, and Pablo. He eventually retired and built two homes, the first one on Melita Island Road, and his last home right here in the middle of Polson. His greatest passion was his family to whom he taught many valuable life lessons including how to farm and the responsibilities of managing a successful farm. He was active, during his life, in the Masonic Lodge/Shrine Royal Arch and Scottish Rite and earned the recognition of being the oldest surviving Master Mason in the State of Montana with 75 years of service.  Among his other interests was studying history. One of his infamous sayings was “I’ve probably told you more than I actually know.” He also enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips to Arizona to escape the harsh Montana winters, along with trips to Germany; cruises to Alaska, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean and the Panama Canal. He is survived by: His wife of 62 years, Emaline; his sons Ralph (Barbara), Keith (Nancy); daughters Earline, and Karen (Bill); ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Services were held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Wednesday, Nov. 12.