Dale Anderson
CORVALLIS – Dale Lee Anderson, 93, of Corvallis, Montana, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. Dale was born in Buhl, Idaho, on Sept. 13, 1931, to Olof Edward and Ruby Chapman Anderson. He was the youngest of seven children. He grew up in St. Ignatius, on the family farm. His parents worked hard to keep the family fed and clothed. Work was manual, dirty, and hard labor. They had no indoor plumbing, and they knew hard times. His father passed away when Dale was 15 years old, leaving a great deal of responsibility on Dale’s shoulders. Death made an imprint on him. He came to know that death was as important as birth, as it is a part of the Plan of Salvation, and taught him at an early age, that families can be together forever.
Dale attended school in St. Ignatius. He was always proud to have been a part of the Class C, six-man football team in 1948, as they won the State Championship. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1951. He married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Rowley, on Sept. 18, 1951, in the Cardston, Alberta, Canada Temple. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to each other and their family. They were blessed with seven children, raising them in the family home on Mission Creek.
Dale worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a Heavy Equipment Operator until 1984. After retiring, he bought a Gradall and went to work with Dale’s Digger. Dale and Gladys (and Dale’s Digger) moved to Stevensville in 1987, then to Dillon in 2002. Dale retired for good in 2004 and they moved to Rexburg, ID in 2006. In 2017, to be closer to family, they moved to Shelley, ID, where they lived until 2021. At that time, they moved next door to their daughter in Corvallis.
Dale was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many positions, including being Bishop for the Stevensville 2nd Ward, and Temple Ordinance worker in the Rexburg, Idaho, Temple. He and his wife also served as Missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois, and Tallahassee, Florida. Dale’s life was marked by his strong work ethic, his ability to fix ANYTHING, his devotion to his family and his steadfast faith.
Dale is survived by his sweetheart of 73 years, Gladys; seven children, Glenn (Glenda) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Chris (Rocky) of Corvallis, Larry (Jane) of Dillon, Lonnie (Donita) of Deer Lodge, Leo of Kalispell, Gordon (Susan) of Rigby, Idaho, and Alden (Colleen) of Kalispell. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren and 12 great great-grandchildren. He was dearly loved by his family and friends, and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Arvil, Melvin, Hazel, Floyd, Lawrence and Lila.
Services were held at the Stevensville LDS Stake Center on June 9, 2025. His interment was at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Shelley, Idaho. Daly-Leach Funeral Home in Hamilton oversaw arrangements.
