Richard Dale 'Dick' Rose, 85

Richard Dale “Dick” Rose, 85, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2012, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

Dick was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Stamford, S.D. His parents were John Henry and Clarice Lucile (Morgan) Rose.

Dick moved to Montana with his family in 1935, and he attended schools in Lakeside and Bigfork before entering the U.S. Army Dec. 26, 1944. He was in the service until 1949, serving as a switchboard operator and telephone lineman with both the 25th and 32nd divisions, and the military police with the 25th division. He was stationed in Manila, Japan and the United States.

During his time with the Army Reserves, he broke his hip and was given a medical discharge. He worked in the timber industry in Northwest Montana until medically unable to continue working.

He resided at the Montana Veterans Home for more than 40 years, where he used to be the chaplain, caretaker of the flower gardens and planted the trees around the Veterans Home. He loved reading and leather crafts. He made wallets, belts, purses and other leather goods for his family and friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and five brothers, John, Donald, Duane, Gerald and Harold.

He is survived by brothers, Franklin “Fritz” and Marilyn of Lolo, Merlyn and Kris of Olney, and Emmet “Bud” and Gloria of Oklahoma City; sisters, Julia Ann Mee of Trego, and Mitzi Parkinson of Kalispell; numerous nieces and nephews; and the loving and caring staff at Montana Veterans Home.

Family and friends will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, March 16, at Columbia Mortuary, and proceed to the Montana Veterans Home Cemetery in Columbia Falls at 2 p.m. for military graveside services officiated by Dick's nephew Kelly Mee.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.