Philip M. Dahl, 71

Philip Mitchell Dahl, youngest son of Charles H. Charlie and Nora E. (Joubert) Dahl, born Feb. 2, 1930, in Dickinson, N.D., died of Parkinson s and Lewy body dementia, Feb. 19, 2010, in Garden City, Idaho. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, in Meridian, Idaho. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. Condolences may be left for the family at www.accentfuneral.com. Phil was reared in Wibaux and Missoula. He attended Wibaux public schools from 1936 until the Dahls moved to Missoula in 1945. After Missoula County High School graduation in 1948, Phil attended university classes and took employment as a Northern Pacific Railway clerk. In 1950 he hired out as a locomotive fireman and was later promoted to locomotive engineer, the position that he held until he retired. He also served as secretary for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and was a member of the United Transportation Union and Korean War service for U.S. Army Transportation Corps railroad operations from 1951 to 1953, which added another dimension to an exceptional career. After a 1987 sale of the Burlington Northern in Missoula to Montana Rail Link, his job was relocated to Whitefish. He retired in 1993, after 43 years of rail service. On Feb. 20, 1951, he married Marjorie Mae Kemmis. Their union produced four children, Philip Mitchell Jr., Andrea Jean, Charles Arthur and Peggy Ann. In 1971 Phil married Gail Schonrock, who had four children, Mark, Susan, Kurt and Scott. On June 11, 1988, Phil married Jackie Anstett Young, who had two children, Jeffrey Robert and Rodney Windom. They resided in Kalispell until his retirement, when they returned to Missoula. In 2003 they established a permanent home in Eagle, Idaho. Phil s energetic life centered upon family activities including fishing, camping, golfing, skiing, scouting and traveling. He traveled to England and went on many trips to Canada and Mexico. Phil was also involved with the Knights of Columbus, Model Railroad Club in Missoula and Boise, Idaho, Elks, Eagles, square dance clubs in Missoula, Meals on Wheels, and Respite Grandpa for the State of Montana. He volunteered at Dragon Hollow at Caras Park, food banks, the humane societies. He built benches and tables at Marshall Ski Resort near Missoula. He was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, pinochle, and was always a fabulous host. Phil had a great command of the English language, he was a self-taught carpenter, plumber, electrician and mechanic (a jack-of-all-trades). He also ran for legislator in Kalispell. He was an avid Montana Griz and Boise State Bronco fan. Phil was a past member of St. Anthony s in Missoula, St. Matthew s in Kalispell, St. Peter s in Wibaux and Holy Apostles in Meridian. Phil also supported the Haiti foundation through St. Alphonsus in Boise. Phil s final gift was that of being a tissue donor. All who knew and loved him as a family member and friend are richer for that experience. Phil is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Jackie, and her children, Jeffrey and Becky, and Rodney and Casey Schlienz; his and Marjorie s children, Philip Mitchell Jr. and Jill, Andrea Jean Dahl, and Peggy Ann and Frederick Asbury; his brother, Victor C., and Beryl Dahl; six grandchildren, Marjorie Poff, Aaron Poff, Justin Asbury, Ryker Schlienz, Kyle Schlienz and Carsen Schlienz; three great-grandchildren, Sarah, Susanna and Abigail Poff; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by wife, Marjorie Kemmis Dahl; son, Charles Dahl; granddaughter, Chantel Marie Asbury; as well two sisters and two brothers. A special thanks to David Waite, Dan Majors, David Turley and Gentry Myler, as well to all those who loved and cared for him. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Philip s name to your local humane society or a charity of your choice.