Louis Allison Dahle, 88

Louis Allison Dahle, 88 years of age, of Kalispell, passed away at home on Aug. 16, 2011, after an extended illness.

He was born July 26, 1923, in Golden, Colo., to Louis A. Dahle Sr. and Nina MacDougall Dahle and grew up in Chicago.

In 1943 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 457th Bomb Group in the European theater of combat. As a B-17 "Flying Fortress" flight engineer, Louis flew on 30 bombing missions against Germany, returning to the United States in early 1945. After his discharge, he traveled around the American West and attended college in Wyoming.

In 1953, Louis married Helen Harris, and the newlyweds settled in Rogers Park, a suburb of Chicago. He worked in construction, and as his family grew, he moved them to Lake Bluff, Ill., where he had built them a house. He continued in the building trades, working on many major commercial construction projects, until his retirement.

In 1984, Louis and Helen moved to Kalispell, where they enjoyed daily trips to Second Wind Health Club, now known as The Summit. Helen and Louis were also known to enjoy frequent trips from Alaska to Arizona, as well as the many “road trips” exploring Canada.

Louis excelled at building things and diagnosing mechanical problems. He was an avid reader and student of politics, and loved to engage in lively discussions on all the issues of the day. He especially delighted in taking the role as the devil's advocate, challenging his partners in conversation in inventive and provocative ways.

Louis was also active in the Presbyterian Church USA.

He is survived by his spouse of 58 years, Helen H. Dahle; and his three daughters, Dominique Schieck of Hayward, Calif., Desiree Brown of Kalispell, and Denise Riehl of New Canaan, Conn.; and his eight grandchildren, Britt, Mariah, Kyle, Carly, Colin, Caitlin, Pete and Allison.

Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the home of Brad and Desi Brown, at Glacier Nursery on Montana 35. The family particularly would like to thank KalispeIl Home Options Hospice for its guidance and counsel during Louis' illness.

Louis will be remembered fondly as a loving husband, father and grandfather, a veteran in his country’s service, a provider for his family and our very own “agent provocateur.” May he rest in peace.