Ardine M. 'Dean' Mace, 78

Ardine M. “Dean” Mace, 78, passed away at his home, of natural causes, in Whitefish on Aug. 10, 2016.

Dean was born August 11, 1937, to Glenn and Myrtle Mace in Mohall, North Dakota. He attended a country school and graduated from Mohall High School.

On June 2, 1961, he married Laurine Gates and they had seven magnificent children, six sons and one daughter. Dean and Laurine enjoyed camping and supporting their children’s interest in every adventure, and spending time with family and friends.

Dean worked in the oil fields in Wyoming and Colorado, the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service office in Mohall, moving to Minot, North Dakota, and drove long haul truck before moving to Whitefish in 1969. He worked 30 years at Columbia Falls Aluminum Company as a pin puller retiring in 1999. He made many lifelong friendships with co-workers and their families.

Dean’s special interests and hobbies included raising his family, hunting, fishing, camping with family and friends, wood working, reloading bullets, making salami, smoking fish and, of course, target shooting. Some of his favorite times were watching his children play baseball, basketball, football, boating, water skiing, and many projects with his sons and daughter.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Laurine; children, Lory and wife Nancy, Tony, Andy and wife Darla, Christine and husband Chris, James and wife Tammy, Justin and wife Robyn, and Jason and wife Torri; and 11 grandchildren, Heather, Andrew, Ciara, Tyler, Matt, Blake, Kevin, Kyle, Braden, Lillian and Margaret.

A celebration with family and close friends was held at the family home of 48 years on Aug. 13. He will be missed by many.

“Children are the only form of immortality that we can be sure of.” — Peter Ustinov