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Donald L. Bromley, 93

| June 29, 2019 4:00 AM

Donald L. Bromley passed away on Monday, June 17, 2019, surrounded by his family.

Don was born in Dodge Center, Minnesota, on July 23, 1925, to Vernon and Hannah Bromley.

In 1942, at age 17, Don volunteered and proudly served his country as a Merchant Marine. During his service Don saw the world, including multiple crossings of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He survived two days in a life raft on the Caribbean Ocean after his ship was torpedoed and sunk.

Following his discharge in 1945 Don worked for the Great Northern Railway in Whitefish, specializing in telegraphy. In 1951 Don was drafted into the Army to serve during the Korean War; he was stationed in Germany as a telegraph operator. After the Korean War Don returned to Montana and became the railroad agent in Belton (West Glacier).

Don married Jean Rudick in 1954. They were married for 65 years and raised daughters Judy, Patti and Bonnie at their home in West Glacier. Don retired in 1989 after working 47 years with the Great Northern, then Burlington Northern Railways. He was a founding member and volunteer fireman for the Coram/West Glacier Fire Depart-ment.

Don was a passionate fly fisherman and enjoyed many camping trips with his wife and family. He loved playing pinochle and taking walks. Don liked sharing his love of books and we all appreciated his ability to entertain everyone with his stories. Don was committed to the importance of education and was a great influence to his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of the success of each of them. Don is remembered most of all for the pleasure he got from teasing, his sense of humor, and his strong political beliefs. He deeply loved his wife, daughters, sons-in-law (Gordy Beck and Mike Streeter), seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

At Don’s request no funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the local humane society or animal shelter.