Denis Patrick Malone April 13, 1940 – Oct. 23, 2021

SEELEY LAKE - Denis Patrick Malone, 81 of Seeley Lake, passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 23 surrounded by his beloved family. Denis was born April 13, 1940 in Missoula, Montana, the second son of Michael and Florence Malone.

Denis, or "Deny" as he was known to family and friends, grew up in Missoula and was educated there, attending St. Anthony's Grade School and graduating from Loyola High School in 1959. Denis served in the Montana Army National Guard from 1962 until 1968. He was honorably discharged with the designation of sharpshooter. He was very proud of his country and his years of service.

Denis fell in love with the forests of the Seeley-Swan Valley at a young age. His mother, father and brothers spent their weekends fishing, camping and exploring the area's lakes, rivers and mountains.

In 1961, he began his career with the Lolo National Forest Service, stationed in the Seeley Lake Ranger District where he met life-long friends. His work accomplishments include multiple certifications as timber measurement specialist, timber sale administrator and log scaler. He often recalled stories about rebuilding the Morrell Mountain lookout and traveling to different states such as Alaska, Colorado and Minnesota to help manage wildfire crews. He received many awards over the course of his career, including the Regional Forester's Honor Award for excellence in timber sales management. He retired from the United States Forest Service at the end of 1997 after 37 respectable years.

In 1970, Denis married the true love of his life, Joan Mary Yogerst of Stevensville, Wisconsin. They had three daughters Tracy, Kelly and Debbie. Denis and Joan made their home north of Seeley Lake on 10 beautiful acres where they built a house, raised their daughters and created wonderful memories. They grandly celebrated their 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries, plus many other occasions, at their home which Denis fondly referred to as the "Malone Compound". He and Joan made it a truly beautiful place where their children and grandchildren will always want to visit.

Denis was very proud of his Irish heritage and loved to tell stories from his childhood about his Irish parents and grandparents. He found great strength and pride in his family. Family reunions and trips provided some of his happiest memories.

Denis loved to read and he finished books faster than he could add new authors to his library. Denis was an accomplished cook and could often be found creating new recipes and dishes which he generously fed to anyone who visited...you never left his kitchen hungry! If you needed to find Denis on a beautiful summer or fall day, those closest to him knew to look in the woods, where he could be found scouting, falling and sawing firewood to bring home and keep his family home warm for winter.

Denis is survived by: his loving wife of 51 years Joan of Seeley Lake; children Tracy Malone Lindemer (Mark) of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, Kelly Malone (Harry Wilson) of Wye, Montana and Debbie Malone Schultz (Keith) of East Helena, Montana; grandchildren Cala, Skyla, Tyler, Clare, Mae, Leighla, Luke and Lily; a great-grandson Arturo; niece Megan Malone Olson (Eric) of Spokane and their children Olivia, Grady and Macy; and his cousin Donna Powell (Jerry) of Billings, Montana.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents Florence and Michael Malone; his brothers Gerald Malone, Michael Malone and Daniel Malone; and his niece Jennifer Malone.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Missoula, Montana. A luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following. For those unable to attend, the mass will be streamed at https://www.sfxmissoula.org. Inurnment will take place during a separate ceremony at the Seeley Lake Cemetery. Family and friends will be invited to celebrate Denis's life on a date in spring/summer 2022.

Donations in Denis's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association and the Providence St. Patrick House in Missoula, Montana.