1 week Ago
September 7, 1942 - April 18, 2025 MELROSE - It is with the deepest sadness that we must announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, Dale Fredrick Carpenter, 82, of Melrose, Mont. Dale left us on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, with his life partner of 63 years at his side. Dale was born on September 7, 1942, to Leighton and Theresa Carpenter, the ninth of ten children.
He grew up on the family ranch in Hail Columbia Gulch and in Walkerville while school was in session. He graduated from Sherman Elementary in 1956 and later, Butte High School in 1960. Upon graduation, Dale worked in the Kelly mine and on the family ranch.
On October 20, 1962, Dale married his long-time love, Roseann Venner. They welcomed their first child, Dale Jr. in 1963 with five more children to follow: Sylvia, Timothy, Sheila, Travis, and David.
Tragically, they lost two of their sons, Timothy to heart failure, David to a work-related accident, and their son-in-law, Jerry Hansen to cancer. These losses had a profound and lasting effect on Dale throughout his life. It has been said that Dale was a mischievous child.
He once landed himself a long hospital stay after injuring his fingertips setting off blasting caps in an attempt to get his brother bucked off of a horse. Then, he received a spanking from the nurse for an attempted escape. His gregarious personality followed him into adulthood where sarcastic humor and wit accompanied him everywhere he went announcing his presence.
Dale was a true "jack of all trades". He graduated from Western Montana College in Dillon, Mont., with a Bachelor's degree in education and was a member of their National Finals rodeo team.
He went on to obtain his Master's degree in 1969. He taught at Butte High School for 25 years in the industrial arts program and was a journeyman electrician. In 1968, he was one of three partners who opened the original Butte Meat Block.
He participated in the operation of the meat shop for several years until it was sold to his youngest brother. One of his favorite business ventures was upholding the family tradition of selling "Carpenter" Christmas trees, a practice that spanned almost 100 years. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Dale started his agricultural endeavors early, by purchasing half of the family property in Hail Columbia Gulch, later expanding the operation to Waterloo and then finally, Melrose, where he and Roseann spent most of their life together.
While his other career ventures were gratifying, ranching was his true calling as he loved working outdoors, tending his animals, and especially buying and selling cattle. He was an accomplished craftsman and wheelwright. He found great satisfaction in reconstructing old wagons and rebuilding the wheels which he found particularly challenging.
You could often find him in the shop working on a project or in the pasture training his draft horses to drive. He loved acquiring treasures at auction sales with his traveling partners, Wayne McGillen and Jim Mcleod. Dale embraced a simple lifestyle finding joy in small pleasures like rocking his grandchildren, dancing with Roseann, the warmth of a woodburning stove, eating vegetables straight from the garden, curing dry salami, and the comfort of his bib overalls, to name a few.
He valued hard work, integrity, loyalty, his faith and above all, kindness, helping whomever needed a hand. He adored his family and treated his friends as such. He modeled the qualities others strive to emulate and was a positive influence on so many.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Leighton and Theresa Carpenter; sons, Timothy and David Carpenter; son-in-law, Jerry Hansen; siblings, Cora (John Mike) Dennehy, Phyllis (Rudolph) Petritz, Tina (Lester) Else, Birdie (Jerry) Mullaney, John Carpenter, Robert Carpenter; in-laws, Rose Venner, Herb Venner, Herbie Venner Jr., Jim Dallaserra, and Rosie Carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Roseann; children: Dale (Twyla) Carpenter, Sylvia (Mark Tallon) Carpenter, Sheila Hansen, Travis (Holly) Carpenter; siblings: Marcella Dallaserra, Myles (Ann Palmer) Carpenter, Carl (Betty) Carpenter; sisters-in-law: Jill and Ruth Carpenter, and Kathleen Venner; grandchildren: Emily (John) Rivers, Sarah (Tyler) Story, Sarah (JJ) Thomas, Casaundra (Matt) Matich, Avery and Hayes Hansen, Maddee and Rikkiee Wonnacott, George, Travee, Coy and Charlie Carpenter; great-grandchildren: Van, Eben, and Blythe Story, Greyson, Oliver and Meira Rivers, Walker and Aviana Thomas, Dale and Betty Matich, Ezekiel and Emmilenne Carpenter.
For Dale's loved ones left behind, we are confident that as he left this life, David, Tim, Jerry and Wayne had the team harnessed and the wagon hitched for his final journey home. Rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus; you have been a good and faithful servant. A mass Celebrating Dale's Life will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Butte, Mont.
, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, with family recieving friends at 10 a.m., a full mass at 11 a.
m., immediately followed by a reception at The Depot. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, a charity dear to Dale's heart.
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