Lester “Dale” DeCoteau was born on October 8, 1956 and left to be with Jesus Christ on September 24, 2020. Dale was born to Elmer and Elizabeth DeCoteau in Poplar, MT. He grew up in Poplar and attended Poplar schools and then graduated from Brockton High School in 1974. Dale joined the Navy in 1974 to 1977 and served on the USS Midway. He then returned home to Poplar. Dale was living in Billings, MT when he met Crystal Smith. They lived together many years and married in July of 1993. They were blessed with 5 wonderful children of which he was so proud of, Jeremiah, James, Sunny, Dayle and Charles.
Dale loved sports and loved to participate in softball, basketball and golf through his travels. He played at the Fort Hall basketball tournament. He met and became friends with all he came in contact with. Dale was a people person and showed respect to everyone he met.
Dale also loved to hunt and fish. He was more than happy to lend a hand or give advice. He was a father figure to his many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by everyone he knew and met.
Family and friends have numerous stories to tell about Dale, too many to tell or write down. He loved to laugh and had many stories to tell about himself.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Emerson and Lonnie; sisters Jeanine and Francine. Dale loved and cared for his siblings Eliza (Richard), Elmer (Kristie), Jim (Nadine), Charles and Birdie Lee, plus his numerous nieces and nephews.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 29, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Wake
Following service in Wolf Point
Tuesday September 29, 2020
Poplar Cultural Center
Poplar, Montana 59255
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Poplar City Cemetery
Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 29, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Wake
Following service in Wolf Point
Tuesday September 29, 2020
Poplar Cultural Center
Poplar, Montana 59255
Graveside Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Poplar City Cemetery
Poplar, Montana 59255
Robert Garfield says
Brother, You have given me many memories and it’s those memories that will keep you alive in my life now. Love you and we will meet again.
Pr. Chris Holler-Dinsmore and Pr. Greg says
Crystal and all of the family. Deepest condolences on the death of Dale. May the love and care of family and friends give you comfort and healing time, as well as the sure knowledge Dale is with the loving Creator who blessed us with his presence. Know to that you are lifted up in prayer.
Rose Morsette says
Sending Condolences & prayers to Dales family,
What a wonderful man Dale was, always a
respectful person,
Linda says
So sorry for your loss Crystal. God be with you.
Chandra Young says
We are heartbroken at this loss! We love and miss you, Dale! I pray for peace for his family. Hugs and much love!
Marian Montclair says
To Mrs. Dale-Crystal & children, Elmer & family, Eliza & family, Birdie & family, Snookie. There are not any words that can describe your loss except shock & disbelief with Dale’s passing. May the Lord keep watch over each and everyone in the families of Dale. In Jesus name, Amen.
Rob and Carrie Manning says
Crystal,
Rob and I am sending our condolences. We are keeping you all in prayer. I am so sorry my heart still hurts😔. Dale was a great person to work with, he was always happy and quick to joke. He will be missed.
Please call or text me if you help with anything.
God Bless! ((((((BigHug))))))
Douglas Gover-Miller says
10-10 Rest in Peace Thank You for being a Mentor in Law Enforcement
Stephanie Iron Shooter says
Crstal, James. Dayle. Sunny. Charles and all his beautiful grandchildren, family and friends,
To have gotten to know him is a true blessing to me and my family…we offer our sincere condolences to you all…he will be missed by all….love you my dear friend…may God bless you and your loved ones…always.
Michelle Trottier says
Condolences to Crystal and family..We all the pleasure of sharing office space with Dale this past year. He always had us laughing with his law enforcement stories and we got to share lunch with our hangover soup and hamburgers..We tried to keep him fed as he did not take care of himself like he should have.. but he loved his family dearly and shared a lot of memories.. God speed my friend..Rest in eternal peace.
Arnold Douglas says
Dale, my grade school friend. I was very sad to hear of your passing. Will miss our occasional visits. I’ve been praying for strength and comfort for Crystal and other families. Dale is with our Lord now.
Alan & Sue Owens says
Dale, you served your people well. It was a comfort to have you at our gatherings or in our presence.
May God keep you and continue to bless your family and friends you leave behind.
One day, we will surely see the Hope and Happiness you tried so hard to bring to the tribe.
Our deepest condolences to Crystal and family.
Kenny Shields says
I’m so sorry to hear of Dale’s passing, he was a good friend.
Robert & Terry McAnally says
To all of Dale’s family and friends, May the Creator keep you all wrapped in loving arms as you move through this sad time of grieving.
Rick Vandenpol says
Dale is a friend who taught me much. He will be missed. My condolence’s to Dale’s family.
Keith Sumner says
Very sorry to hear of Dale DeCoteau, passing. We use to play with Dale and his brothers, during the summers. When were home from Wahpeton Indian boarding school. Brings back all the great memories, when we playyed together outside. David and Keith Sumner will truly miss you Dale. Dora Youmgman-Yellow Owl was our grandma.
Darlyn Grainger says
Sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers during this difficult times. God Bless you all
Griffin and Adriann Ricker says
Ours prayers and condolences for the whole family. We always enjoyed our visits and joking with Dale. He was an active voice in the community who never hesitated to provide feedback or insight to help with improving things on the Reservation.
Joel Rae Ferguson says
Rest in Peace Lester Dale. You were truly a HERO to me.. you were so kind and generous. FLY HIGH LESTER DALE.. FLY HIGH…
Jonny BearCub Stiffarm says
Sending thoughts of comfort to the family of Dale. Dale when you get to the otherside – give your Mom a big hug from me. I always enjoyed visiting with you and will miss exchanging stories about Liz. She was one of my mentors and I miss her. Travel to Paradise in Joy for wonders surround you as you travel that Spirit Road. may your family be comforted with the many memories you leave for them to cherish.
Kristie Santos says
To Dale’s family…I am so sorry for your loss. Dale was a cool older fella who I got to know a little bit when we all shared an office with him at tribal health last year. He was a very knowledgeable person who I respected. Always had a hello when we would see him around. Prayers for you all,
Kristie and Pedro Santos and family
Laura A Ricker says
Hey buddy..you was a very positive person. God bless your family…
Frank Demarrias says
Crystal I am so sorry for your loss and to his family especially his kids of which he was so proud of them. I PLAYED on some basketball teams with him and he was a tough player. I pray the Grandfathers watch over your family and that the sun forever shines on your family. RIP cuz this time they took one of the best. So sorry prayers for you all. FRANK DEMARRIAS
Greg Hirst says
Chrystal and family: I was so sorry to hear the news of Dale. It is hard to believe and accept. We were friends for many years, all the way back to the classroom at Fort Peck Community College. Over the years I watched Dale grow as a father, friend and husband. Dale was proud of his heritage and represented it well. I will miss his wry sense of humor and his determination always to do what is right. May God bless and welcome his spirit. Chrystal, as one Blackfeet to another, BE STRONG.
Rebecca Kellenberg says
To Dale’s family, I so enjoyed getting to know Dale through his work with the Montana Systems of Care team. He offered a warm and kind presence at every meeting and told great stories. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences, Rebecca
Felicia Martell says
So sorry to hear of Dales passing! Loved to visit with him when I was working at Frostees! Gonna miss seeing him around! Prayers for all
Cheryl Cantrell says
My Sincerest Condolences to Crystal and family. Dale was a great guy, very polite n quick to joke. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Jackie Hippe says
Crystal, So sorry to hear of Dale’s passing. May God hold you up in prayer in the days and weeks ahead.
Wendy Peterson says
Crystal and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Donna Black Dog says
My sincere condolences to Crystal and family. He will be missed by all who knew him. R.I.P. my classmate. Prayers for healing and blessings to you family. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🌹
Mary plante says
Crystal and family so sorry for the loss of a great man. Dale was one of a kind. He was very kind to everyone.
Gaynell Real Bird says
Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences. Prayers for his family 🙏🏽❤
Tony & Angie Shields says
Crystal, Angie and I are praying for you and your family, we miss you guys and our time spent together over the years. Dale is in a better place and will be watching over you now. Please know that many people he helped over the years are shocked of this news, and realize that he did what he needed to do while here on earth. Love you all.
David Schuldberg says
My condolences to all the family. I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to work with Dale a few times over the years. He was such a wonderful person and he will be missed.
Juanita says
Crystal, James and family. I am saddened to know that Dale went to the other camp, he was a great man, I enjoyed working with him through the years. Very respectful, always had a smile and had time to chat. He will be missed. I pray for strength for the family during this tym of grieving. Know he is with his family that went before him.
Juanita Cantrell says
Crystal, James and family. I am saddened to know that Dale went to the other camp, he was a great man, I enjoyed working with him through the years. Very respectful, always had a smile and had time to chat. He will be missed. I pray for strength for the family during this tym of grieving. Know he is with his family that went before him.
Cissy Eagleman says
Crystal and children, Dale loved you all more than words can say. Condolences to you all and to his siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren and all the friends he made along his way in life. Dale was a good man, loved to laugh and joke. He was a hard worker. He and Robert Garfield built my handicap ramp. Sheesh it started snowing, Dale never gave up. I made them soup and coffee, I told them to go inside and eat. They both chowed down and went back to work on the ramp.
Dale will be missed greatly. My heart goes out to you all, as do our prayers.
God speed Dale, and may you Journey Well my friend.
Nancy Berg says
Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences to the DeCoteau family. I worked with Dale in his efforts to move forward suicide prevention in the Fort Peck Community. His work and dedication will truly be missed.
Mary Jo Boyd says
I’m so sorry to hear of your passing Dale,,,I’ve always kept you in my heart Dale. We shared many good memories too.,,,long long ago.
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to your family, God Bless You, may you R.I.P. Dale💙🙏🤍🥀Mary Jo (JO)
Gay Pennington says
Crystal and family. I was shock when I was reading the Obituaries and saw that Dale’s passing. I always enjoy seeing you at the games and where ever else we ran into. We had some good visits over the years. Dale had a great smile. God will be watching over you. Dale will be your guardian Angel. Crystal you and I had some good visits. I will be thinking of you all. Rest in peace. Your from Gay (Paulson) Pennington Billings MT.
Tom (TL) Hagadone says
Crystal and family, especially James, you are in my thoughts and prayers as you morn the loss of your husband and father. Your dad was a very good man. May he rest in peace.
John and Stacey Summers says
Dale was a good friend and coworker with the Fort Peck Tribal police. He was serious about the job but cared about the officers asking us how we were doing and being a big brother to us. I got to play in several b-ball tourneys with Dale traveling to Wyoming for a law enforcement basketball tourney at Wind River and in later years played many games with Dale at Fort Hall men’s tourneys. He will be missed and we send our condolences to Crystal and all of his children, brothers and sisters other family members.
Joe leggett says
Dale was a great friend
Chuck Trinder says
My condolences to Dale’s family. He was a good friend and very respected. He worked for me at the IHS Mental Health Center in Poplar back in the 70’s. He was still in High School and gained work experience in our office on a summer student placement program. Dale was always cheerful and very dependable. I enjoyed my time with him.
Maegan (Hopkins) Rides At The Door says
Crystal and family, I want to express my deepest condolences for your family. I will be thinking of you through the days ahead. I had the opportunity to work closely with Dale over the past few years and am grateful to know his kind spirit and humor that he brought into this world. He always talked about being a grandpa and found joy in that role. He will be missed.
Raykira Track says
Dear Papa Dale, Me and Reese planned a whole future with you…. but it helps knowing that you never left, only your body. Thank you so much for being my dad when my real dad couldn’t. You taught me a lot of great things, such as Basketball!, I know you tried your best to keep our family happy, and you did. Just know Me, Aunty dayle, Sunny, James,Charles, and grama Chrystal are being strong for you. We love and Miss you papa/dad. R.I.P , see you when ever its my time to go, LOVE-kira…
🥺🌬️❤️
Iris PrettyPaint says
To Dale’s family,
I am so sorry to hear of his crossing over…he will be missed. He helped craft the MT DPHHS youth suicide prevention plan. His contributions were spot on and brought his wealth of knowledge forward. Prayers