Dale Dean Dursma, 73

Dale Dean Dursma, 73, passed away at his home in Plains Saturday April 1.

Dale was born on January 19, 1944 in Carrington, ND to Henry (Slim) and Doris (Billy) Duursma. They later changed the spelling of their last name to Dursma.

His family moved to Wyoming and later to Victor, MT where Dale later graduated from high school. Dale worked odd jobs and later had a partnership in Big Mac Machine in Missoula, until the partnership dissolved. Dale then ventured to Oklahoma to work in the oilfields and then came back to Montana to work for Burtch Construction as a mechanic and logging truck driver, Rehbein Enterprise as a truck driver and Lloyd Bache and Sons as a mechanic and truck driver until his death.

Dale enjoyed horses, stock car racing and league bowling with his buddies. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He would fish all day every day if he could. He loved camping, riding his wave runner and driving his boat.

Dale met the love of his life, Susan Mielke, in February 1998 and lived at the family home until his death. In this unity, they brought together two sons, Levi Brubaker and Tom Wurtz Jr.

Dale loved to share his enthusiasm of the outdoors with his family. You could always count on Dale for knowledgeable advice. He would be the first person to lend a hand when needed and wouldn’t hesitate to give you the shirt off his back. He never had a harsh word to say about anyone or anything. Dale’s love for his wife and grandchildren was clearly seen within his actions and his desire to spend time with them. He had a heart full of love and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Dale was proceeded in death by his parents; brother Dallas, sisters Irma, Elsie & Sena. He is survived by his wife Susan, sons Levi (Caitlin) Brubaker, Tom (Brandi) Wurtz Jr, 4 grandchildren Natalie & Murphy Brubaker, Haylie & Clayton Wurtz. His siblings Lee (Ardith) Dursma, Linda LaRue, Pearl Jeske, Curt (Brandy) Dursma & Ray (Jack) Jerrel, father-in-law Fred Mielke, brother-in-law John (Cindy) Mielke, with numerous nieces and nephews.

Per Dale’s wishes, no memorial service will be scheduled. He was cremated and later his ashes will be spread in a private family gathering.