Obituary - Gale Allen Jellum

Gale Allen Jellum of Chinook, loving father, brother and grandpa passed away Sunday, January 21, 2024, at the age of 80, in his sleep at the Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman, MT.

Gale was born March 8, 1943 to Gordon and Ruth (Swanson) Jellum in Fosston, Minnesota. Gale was a state champion wrestler in Glasgow, class president and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1961. Gale attended Montana State University in Bozeman on a wrestling scholarship his freshman year and after two years at MSU he transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, to pursue his degree in Veterinary Medicine.

July 2, 1966, he married Karen Louise Dokken, the love of his life, and together they celebrated 47 years of marriage. In 1969, they made their home in Chinook, after Gale purchased the Chinook Veterinary Clinic. In addition to running his vet clinic, in 1977 Karen and Gale took over the operation of the Dokken family farm in Glasgow, where they lived during the farming season. Gale sold the vet clinic in Chinook in 1999 but continued to dedicate his life to caring for animals even after retirement.

Gale and Karen were blessed with two children, Kirk and Kimberly. Gale had a passion for sports, especially basketball, and he loved to spend his weekends supporting them.

Gale was a true pillar of the community of Chinook, with a deep love for our local high school sports, actively supporting and cheering on teams. He was involved Lions Club for 50 years, 4H, Sweet Park Board, Wells Fargo Bank Board, and the Montana Grain Growers Association. His interests extended to the careful care and breeding of registered black Angus cattle, this pursuit brought him pride and satisfaction. His true love was caring for the family farm

Gale is survived by his two children, Kirk Jellum of Salt Lake City and Kimberly (Matthew) Garson of Bozeman, MT, along with his two special grandsons, Lucas and Levi Garson. He is also survived by one brother, Steven (Gayle) of Gillette, WY, sisters Susan (Chuck) Boid, of Great Falls, and Diane Rosander of Billings, as well as special friend Karen Covert of Chinook and sister–in-Law Marilyn McCready of Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Ruth Jellum, brothers Dennis, Don and David, and sisters Gloria, Mary, Lois and Carol.

A celebration of life will be held in Chinook at the American Lutheran Church Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. under the direction of Wilderness Funeral Home of Chinook. A reception will follow at the Wallner Hall. A burial service will be held in Glasgow at 11am on Saturday January 27, 2024 at the Highland Cemetery with a reception to follow at the First Lutheran Church of Glasgow.

Suggested Memorials to the American Lutheran Church of Chinook, or First Lutheran Church of Glasgow, or Lions Club of Chinook, or donor's choice.