Dale Edward Marshall was born March 31, 1956, in Malta, Montana, and died May 6, 2019, in Malta. He was raised 20 miles north of Saco on the Marshall family ranch with his older brother, Dick, and he attended Saco Public School all through his schooling. Though he wasn’t the most attentive student, he had basketball and Cecil Sudbrack to keep his grades up. Dale also enjoyed his fair share of shenanigans; one such shenanigan was a “baptism” at the Dumps that involved rolling down the hill and ended with cactus extraction. Refer to Corby for details.
In 1976, he married his high school sweetheart, Sue Albus, and they made their home on the family ranch. He took a job with the county in 1977 and continued working on the ranch as well. Dale and Sue had three daughters, Kelly, Trista, and Justinn. He loved to follow their activities, especially basketball and rodeo. Dale raised his daughters to have a strong work ethic, and they have excelled to become an English teacher, a nurse, and a physician, respectively.
Dale started battling health issues before he turned 40 that continued until his death. He overcame leukemia and several heart attacks, and he battled kidney failure for the last few years of his life. In addition to his health issues, Dale and his family lost their first home to a fire and later were hit by a tornado. Through every hardship, Dale kept his chin up and displayed a warrior’s resilience and perseverance, and through every hardship he had his rock, Sue, right by his side.
Throughout life, Dale enjoyed rodeoing, snowmobiling, branding, hunting- especially beavering on the Frenchman Creek. Most of all, he loved to socialize with friends and family. His favorite time of the year was always hunting season, and he enjoyed the week with the Frenchman Crew the most.
He retired from the county in January of 2018 after working there for 41 years. During his retirement, he enjoyed cruising around Saco in his side-by-side; shooting gophers; eating biscuits and gravy at Pip’s Diner; hanging out with this best buddy, Batman the corgi; and chasing around his grandkids.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Allen and Gladys Marshall. He is survived by his wife, Sue; his brother Dick (Jan) Marshall; his daughters, Kelly (Shawn) Downing, Trista (Jake) Nelson, and Justinn (Kody) Lahaye; his nephews Brett and Brad Marshall; his grandchildren, Blaine, Emerson, and Trey Downing, and Blaizy, Bridger, and Bostynn Nelson; and his faithful corgi companion, Batman.
Dale had many friends near and far, and he will always be remembered for his quick wit with a dash of orneriness. He had a zest for life and an iron will to live that was beyond measure. Dale led a life from which we can all glean strength and inspiration. He truly made the world a better place, and he will be sorely missed by all his family and friends he left behind.
Ed Buechler says
My condolences to Sue and the Girls, Dale was an exceptional person and we will all miss him.
Jason, Nyoka, Libby, & Paige Twitchell says
Sorry to hear about losing Dale, what a great guy with such a big heart. Prayers to the whole Marshall crew.
Sharon A Kindle says
Sue and family,
Dale was brave and continually fought the issues that came his way. Heaven has our Hero now. God Bless you all.
Tom Manni says
Condolences to the Marshall family. I have had several opportunities to invade the Frenchman camp over the years and Dale’s visits were always a special treat. That says a lot considering the band of characters he hung with. Rest in Piece Dale!
Myra Annalora says
Sue and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather. I remember the many times I spoke with Dale and family, always an enjoyable conversation. Be kind to yourselves as you remember the life and memories of your loved one.
Barb Peterson says
Sue & girls, I am so sorry for your loss. Had good memories to hold on to. Hugs to everyone.
Durann Lambert says
Sorry to hear of the lose of Dale…he was a great guy!!! I deepest condolence.
HUGS and PRAYERS
The Girls at the Fort Peck Dialysis Unit.
Tim thacker says
Dale was a good guy, generous,funny a great host to us NC boys. He let us bow hunt his farm back in the 90s. We greatly appreciated in. Condolences to his family for their loss.