Ivan G. Dibblee

Ivan Dibblee, 79, of Malta, passed away on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Military honors will follow.

The family has requested that memorials be made in Ivan’s name to the Hill County Shooting Sports Recreation Area or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Ivan was born on March 17, 1934, in St. Cloud, Minn., to George and Edna (Snyder) Dibblee. He was raised in St. Cloud, attending school there. While in high school, he met his lifelong love and soulmate, Dolores, at the roller rink. They married on Oct. 13, 1953, in Sauk Rapids, Minn. The couple made their home there for a few years, before moving to Havre in 1959, where they raised their four sons. Ivan was a member of the Montana Army National Guard for many years, and also worked for Great Northern and Burlington Northern railroads, as a master blacksmith. In 1996, after his retirement, the couple moved to Malta, where they lived happily until Delores’ death in March 2011.

Ivan was a devoted father and dedicated husband. He was proud of being a third-generation railroader and a retired member of the Montana Army National Guard, retiring as a staff sergeant. Ivan loved polka music and the early country music, especially Conway Twitty, Tennessee Ernie Ford and Hank Williams Sr. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting, fishing and camping, and always in search of the “big buck.” He also loved the NBA, and was a dedicated Celtics fan. One of his favorite pastimes was as a professional craftsman, working in wood and iron. Ivan possessed a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tease his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Dibblee; Dolores Dibblee, his beloved wife of almost 58 years; and his sister, Jean Mendel.

He is survived by his four sons, Jeff C. (Tammie) Dibblee and Randi J. (Marsha) Dibblee of Havre, Mark A. Dibblee of Malta, and Michael J. (Lorna) Dibblee of Virginia; his seven grandchildren, Jesse (Heather) Dibblee, Kimberly Dibblee, Mason Dibblee, and Zach Dibblee, Nikki (Kevin) Harada, Melinda (Brandon) Hawk, and Jen (Jake) Rowe; and his four great-grandchildren, Natalie Rowe, Tyler Rowe, MacKenzie Dibblee and Brendon Dibblee.