David Dickey, 87

David Dickey, 87, of Bozeman passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at his home. He was born April 29, 1921, on a farm in eastern Montana.

It was quite far out of town and the ice was going off the Yellowstone River, so the doctor could not get across. The story goes that the doctor had to yell across to the farm ladies, 'Get some bed sheets and hot water ...' 'We wondered if the doctor tied his bill to a rock and threw it across.' Dave arrived OK and lived a good long life; he graduated from Fairview High in 1940 and was training as a gunner on a Bomber Crew when World War II ended. He was glad he never had to fight.

After the war, Dave went to Montana State University to study industrial arts, and plant and soil science. After graduation, Dave worked in agriculture research at MSU for more than 20 years.

While in college, Dave met the love of his life, Mary Ann Crane, who worked in a film store. Dave and Mary Ann were married in Bozeman in 1953. After they both graduated from college, they moved to the country and built a house in a neighborhood you could not have ordered up in a dream.

Their three children, Dave, Carol and Bob, all have children and grandchildren who loved Dave and will miss him dearly. 'He was the best!'

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann, at the family home; three children, Dave and Patty Dickey of Kalispell, Carol and Bill Filson, and Bob, all of Bozeman; grandchildren, Brian Dickey, Clarke Dickey and Justin Dickey, all of Kalispell, and Jennifer and Jason Krum, Lisa McKee, Daniel Filson, and Joe and Rachel Dickey, all of Bozeman; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Krum, Miles McKee, Colton Krum, Nolan Dickey and Hannah Dickey; brother, Chuck Dickey, of Anchorage, Alaska; and sisters, Daisy Kutzler and Mary Knoll, both of Lake Havasu, Ariz., Maxine Anvik of Statesboro, Ga., and May Rose Compton of Olympia, Wash.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman.

Memorials may be made in his name to a charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dahlcares.com.