Obituary - Daniel R. 'Dan' Carpenter

Daniel R. "Dan" Carpenter, 76, passed away due to natural causes Friday, February 21, 2020, at Northern Montana Care Center.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020, at First Lutheran Church with Pastor Megan Hoewisch officiating.

Dan's family has suggested memorial donations be made in his name to First Lutheran Church, the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line or the charity of the donor's choice.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Dan's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http:www.hollandbonine.com .

Dan was born December 25, 1943, in Bellaire, OH, to Russell Carpenter and Wilma (Smith) Tipton. He was raised in Bellaire, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1961, where he received his GED.

Dan attended Air Force training in Biloxi, MS, and was immediately transferred to Havre, Montana, working at the air base north of Havre. While there, he met Charlis Peterson, and the couple married in 1963 at First Lutheran Church in Havre. They were soon transferred by the Air Force to Omaha, NE, and in 1965, Dan received his honorable discharge.

In 1965, the family moved to Toronto, OH, where Dan worked as an electrician for Ohio Edison. As much as they enjoyed OH, the couple relocated once again, this time back to Havre in 1976, where Dan drove bus and worked as a janitor for School District 87 until he began working at the Burlington Northern Diesel Shop in late 1976. He started at the diesel shop as a laborer, but soon worked his way up to electrician, and as a foreman for the last several years there. Dan retired from BNSF in 2002.

He was a very outgoing person who loved music, playing his guitar, and singing in numerous bands over the years, solo and jamming with friends. He loved riding his Harley Davidson with friends, the Pale Whales, his son, son-in-law, and brother-in-law, wintering in Parker, AZ, with his wife, and spending time with his family at the cabin. Dan was funny and loved to joke around, but his family was his whole life. Time spent with them was truly treasured.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Carpenter and Wilma Tipton; sister Betty Peters; and brother-in-law, Jack Peterson.

Dan is survived by his wife, Charlis Carpenter of Havre; children, Kathy (Mark) Steele of Des Moines, IA, and Dan (Melissa) Carpenter of Havre; grandchildren Brittney and Hali Carpenter, Nick Steele, Devyn (Skylar Johnsen) Carpenter, Dylan Carpenter, and Michael Steele; three great-grandchildren, Aden Shandorf, Olivia Carpenter, and Camdyn Johnsen; siblings, Rick (Ann) Tipton of GA, and Bud Tipton and Kathy Kersey, both of OH; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.