Dale Gardner

Dale Alfred Gerald Gardner, 85, of Santa Clara, California, passed away on January 26, 2025. Born in Kalispell, Montana on March 22, 1939, Dale was the youngest of 12 children and grew up in the beautiful mountains of northwest Montana. He loved all his siblings but was particularly close to his sister Rosemary. As a boy, Dale developed a love for the outdoors, which sparked a lifelong passion for nature and adventure.

Leaving home at an early age, Dale began an adventurous life. He eventually settled in the California Bay Area, where he became a self-employed businessman, first owning a service station and later building a successful trucking company. After retirement he enjoyed spending time at his second home in Libby, Montana. Throughout his life, Dale remained passionate about the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting in Alaska, Russia, and the western United States. His love for the outdoors extended to everything with a motor, including cars, motorcycles, watercraft, and snowmobiles. A true Montanan at heart, he also had a deep appreciation for western movies and was an avid gun collector.

Dale was known for his generosity, adventurous spirit, and love of fun. He had a special bond with the mountains, particularly the Cabinet Mountains around Libby, Montana, and an enduring love for his dogs, who were an integral part of his life. His dogs—Bobo, Dutchess, Panda, Bear, Glacier, Jake, Sadie 1 & Sadie 2, Milo, and Tiki—were his loyal companions who adored him..

Dale is survived by his wife Mimi, sons Tony and Nick (Janet) Gardner, daughters Debbie (Jeff) Doughty, Jennifer (David) Waldrip, and Kim (Judd) Fraga. He was the proud grandfather of Stephanie (Michael) Moore, Courtney (Michael) Maton, Katie (Todd) Coleman, Ben (Hana) Waldrip, Max Waldrip, Allecia & Jessica Gardner, Breanna (Rudy) Tena, and Nichole (Atilla) Dalkiran, Kaela Jeffcoat & Skyler Fraga as well as great-grandfather to Amelia Jo Waldrip, Maddux Moore, Hudson Coleman, Matthew Loggins, Allison Garcia, Evelyn Dalkiran, Rosalie & Rudy Tena, Aster Fraga, Landon, Ryder & Cali Jeffcoat. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Marie, Edith, Henry, Cora, Omar, Homer, Dallas, Lois, Paul, Rosemary, and infant brother James.

A memorial service to honor Dale’s life will be held on February 15th at 1pm at the Buffalo Hills Funeral Home in Kalispell, Montana. Burial will be at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

Dale will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His adventurous spirit, generous heart, and love for life will remain in the memories of those who loved him.