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Obituary

Delbert Mearl Palmer

CHARLO — Del Palmer, 93, a lifelong resident of Charlo, passed away quietly at his home, surrounded by family and friends on Friday Nov. 14.

Where do we begin to tell the story of a “Life Well Lived?”

Del’s life began in Salem, Oregon, on Jan. 10, 1921, where he was born to E.M. and Ollie Suter-Palmer on a strawberry farm. 

Later, E.M. and Ollie decided to pick up stakes and move to Bainville, Montana, to try to make a go with three boys in tow. During the Depression, with what little was left of possessions and livestock; they boarded an immigrant train car and ended up getting off in Whitefish. Being met with no food or home they traveled to Charlo to stay with family, the Coulters, rouging sugar beets for room and board. Come spring, the family moved to Kalispell where Del graduated from Flathead High School. After one year in Kalispell, Del realized that Charlo was where he wanted to call home and everyone moved again. 

Silverthorne Dairy was started in 1941 in Charlo with a foundation herd of ten registered Holstein heifers from Carnation Dairy in Washington. Del attended Montana State College in Bozeman and studied Agri-Economics. During a return home from school he received his notice to serve in WWII. At the age of 23 he was in a farming accident while feeding hogs and crushed both of his legs, leaving him unable to walk for two years. 

Del taught Ag/ FFA at Charlo High school starting in 1946, while also working at the dairy.

Del met the love of his life Bernice Shriner from Arlee at a dance in Charlo. They were married at the Charlo Methodist Church on July 25, 1949. They raised their four children on the farm: Skip, Dennis, David and Charlene. 

Del was an active man of the community. He started the first 4-H Club in Lake County with Clarence Savik. He was part of the Ninepipe Hustlers, Head of Montana Milk Producers, and was a member of D’Aste Club, President of ACE, and sat on the Charlo School Board. Del was a proud supporter of the Charlo Football Program and received the Farmer of the Year award in 1979. He was an avid conservationist and hunter. Del spent many an evening in his brother Louis’s basement doing taxidermy. He was also a man of vision. When driving through Charlo it is hard to envision Palmer Park without trees, but not one was there before Del. 

He had a work ethic that was unparalleled. At the age of 86 he climbed to the top of the Misson Range with his grandson Justin. Just this year he grew a garden with corn and strawberries, enough to feed the community. 

Del was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers; one infant sister; and two sons Dennis and David Palmer both of Ronan.

Survivors include his wife Bernice of Charlo; special sister-in-law Elvira Osborn of Libby; son Skip Palmer (Sue) of Charlo; daughter Charlene Kay Palmer of Ronan; daughter-in-law Kim Palmer of Ronan; grandchildren Jenn Palmer Nicholson (Jereme) and children Greydon, Rachel, and Logan of Deer Lodge; Brian Palmer (Sue) and children Billy, Tori, Richard, and Casie of Ronan; Caysie Palmer-Deardorff (Travis) and children Cassie and Shelby of St. Ignatius; Stacy Palmer Bayleigh (Cory) and daughter Olivia of Bismark, North Dakota; Benjamin Montgomery (Brandy) and Dylan, Ian, and Tommy; sister Lois Statler of Spokane, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Services for Del will be held at the Charlo School on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. This will be a time for sharing and a potluck lunch. Del always loved a good story and meal.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com.

 

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