Dale Sonstelie, 89
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 10 months, 1 week AGO
Dale Sonstelie, 89, was born Sept. 10, 1935, in Kalispell to Alvin and Marie Sonstelie.
He is survived by three sons, Terrance Lee and wife, Debbie, Gary Duane and Timothy James and wife, Debbie, and one daughter, Connie Sue; one sister, Geneva and her husband, Fran Van Rinsum; nine grandchildren, Dale, Terra, Rebecca, McKenzie, Dylan, Alan, Sheree, Mariah, Makayla; and 10 great-grandchildren and numerous family members many dear friends.
Dale was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia, his parents, Alvin and Marie Sonstelie Meiers, brother, Lawrence and nephew, Larry.
Sadly, our community lost a pillar June 8, 2025, when Dale Sonstelie passed away peacefully in his home in Creston, surrounded by family and close friends.
His contributions to the lives of many were endless and embodied his giving nature.
Dale graduated from Flathead County High School in 1953, then he went to U of M and graduated with an associate degree in agriculture. He was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany and returned home to the family farm and began working at a local sawmill for many years.
Dale served on the Board of Directors at Farmers Union Exchange in 1970 until Farmers Union became CHS. He was also on the Creston School Board and active on the Creston Fire Department. Also serving as advisor of Creston Agriculture Research and Development.
He was involved in the early production of peppermint and later worked as a buyer for IP Callison.
Blue Spruce landscaping trees were one of his favorite secondary crops. They were shipped throughout the country, including the Denver Airport, Jersey Turnpike, Alaska and California.
Dale's favorite hobbies include skiing Big Mountain, Germany and Austria, golfing, hiking the Jewel Basin with his close friends, traveling the world, fishing and boating. He was also a licensed pilot.
A celebration of life will be held on June 22, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Swan River Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please help continue his kindness, loyalty and compassion by donating to the Saint Joseph's Indian School or call 800-341-2245 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.