Delbert Mearl Palmer

Del Palmer 93, a lifelong resident of Charlo Mt
passed away quiety at his home surrounded by family and friends on Friday November 14, 2014.
Where do we begin a Life Well Lived
Del's life began in Salem Oregon to E.M. and Ollie Suter- Palmer, on a Strawberry Farm. E.M. and Ollie decided to pick up stakes and move to Bainville MT, to try to make a go with 3 boys in tow. During the depression with what little was left, for possessions and livestock , they boarded an immigrant train car and ended up getting off in Whitefish, being met with no feed 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 on the day he received his notice to serve in WWII, at the age of 23 he was in a farming accident while feeding Hogs where he crushed both legs leaving him unable to walk for two years. Del taught Ag/ FFA at Charlo High school starting in 1946, while also working on 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 25th, 1949. They raised 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, The Ninepipe Hustlers, Head of Montana Milk Producers was a member of D'Aste Club, President of ACE, and Sat on the Charlo School Board. Proud Supporter of Charlo Football Program, and received Farmer of the year Award in 1979. He was an avid Conservationist and Hunter. Many an evening was spent in his brother Louis basement doing taxidermy. 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 unparalled. At the age of 86 he climbed to the top of the Misson Range, with his grandson Justin. Even this year he grew a garden with corn and strawberries, enough to feed the community.
Del was proceeded in death by Parents, 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, Libby Son-Skip (Sue) Palmer- Charlo. Daughter- Charlene Kay Palmer-Ronan, Daughter-in Law-Kim Palmer-Ronan, Grandchildren- Jenn Palmer-Nicholson (Jereme) Greydon, Rachel, Logan-DeerLodge. Brian Palmer(Sue)Billy, Tori, Richard, Casie-Ronan. Caysie Palmer-Deardorff (Travis) Cassie & Shelby St. Ignatius. Stacy Palmer (Cory) Bayleigh & Olivia-Bismark, N.D. Benjamin Montgomery (Brandy) Dylan, Ian, and Tommy. Sister-Lois Statler of Spokane WA. Numerous nieces and nephews.
Services for Del will be held at the Charlo School Saturday November 22nd, at 2:00 This will be a time for sharing and potluck lunch. Del always loved a good story and meal.

Read Delbert Palmer's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.