Dick W. Stipe
courtesy photo
Dick Stipe
CHARLO — Dick W. Stipe, 82, unexpectedly passed away at St. Patrick Hospital, on Aug. 15, 2014, from an aortic aneurysm. Dick was born on February 26, 1932, in Devil’s Lake, N.D., to Hazel (Curry) and Stanley Stipe. The youngest of five children, he joined sisters Fern and Vivian, along with brothers Harold and Dean. They have all preceded him in death. At the age of four, the Stipe family moved to the Moiese Valley, then to Dixon and finally to Charlo.
Dick was an avid athlete, playing on championship teams in basketball and football in high school.
He enjoyed big game hunting and fishing throughout his life. In his opinion, TV had only a couple of uses ... to watch sports and news broadcasts. When those methods of entertainment were not available, he could be found playing Keno, Poker or Black Jack.
In the third grade, Dick met Agnes Morris. They dated throughout high school and were married on March 16, 1952, at the Charlo Methodist Church. They were blessed with four children. In 1958, they purchased their first ranch land where they raised their family, beef cattle and crops.
In 1974 a summer cabin was built on Big Arm Bay. In 1997 a winter condo was added for their year-round entertainment in Laughlin, Nev. Many years were spent meeting and enjoying all the friends met during retirement and maintaining childhood friendships.
Dick is survived by his wife of 62 years, Agnes, and his children and their spouses: Debbie and Jack May; Dana and Bill Darlington; Dave and Jeannine Stipe; and Laurie and Don Hege. Dick was the proud grandpa to: Kevin (Nicki) May; Jeanna (Brian) Carey; Macey Darlington; Rock (Elizabeth) Darlington; Kelsey Darlington; Taylor Stipe; Asia Hege; Ali Hege; and Abbey Hege. He was Papa to great-grandkids Kolin and Ava Piper; Ben May; Anna Darlington; Brandt Stipe and Henry Darlington. Dick is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends.
In 2013, Dick and Agnes sold their ranch home of 45 years, downsizing and moving to Missoula. In June 2014, Dick was proud to purchase a new condo on Mullan Road and move Agnes into it where he happily settled them in for the next six weeks of his life.
On Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. a celebration of life was held at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church, 70715 Highway 93, (top of Post Creek Hill, mile marker 39.5). A private interment took place before the service.
Memorials may be made to the Mission Valley United Methodist Church, 70715 Highway 93, St. Ignatius, MT 59865, or to the Charlo/Moiese Senior Center, P.O. Box 1, Charlo, MT 59824. Condolences may be sent to Agnes at astipe51@gmail.com.
