Dale Dammarell

My Life Story Dale Allen Dammarell, age 84, passed away at his home in Meridian, ID surrounded by his family on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Dale was the youngest son of Frank K and Audrey Dammarell, born on May 2, 1933 in Reubens, ID. Dale attended school in Craigmont, ID and graduated from Lewiston High School and the University of Idaho. While at the U of I Dale met his "one-in-a-million" sweetheart of 62 years, Marian Eileen Driscoll. Dale and Marian married in Wallace, ID on Aug. 20, 1955 and began their life together with a cross-country drive to Virginia where Dale completed U.S. Marine Corps. Officers School. After completing his officer training, they moved to Camp Pendelton in California for two years where they started their family. Together Dale and Marian had seven children, two boys and five girls. With five daughters, Dale won for having the most daughters at the annual Burley Elks Father-Daughter banquet on multiple occasions. After Dale was discharged from the USMC he embarked on a career spanning nearly 40 years in banking (the family business). Dale attended the American Institute of Banking and the Pacific Coast School of Banking at the Univ. of Washington and worked for First Security Bank, Oregon Bank, Idaho Bank & Trust, and Key Bank during the course of his career. Dale retired from banking in 1996. In addition to his professional duties Dale served in his quiet way in many community organizations. He was an officer in USMC community organizations, President of NABAC Banking Organization, President of the Nampa Exchange Club, Officer and Board Member of Burley Kiwanis Club, Burley Chamber of Commerce member, Chairman of Zoning Appeals Committee for the City of Burley, President of Meridian Lions Club, Board member of the Idaho Heart Association, SW Idaho Cerebral Palsy Association, and Idaho Diabetes Council, U of I Regional Alumni Association member, President and Board member of John J. Creegan Foundation, Pastoral Council member of St Mary's Church, and member of St. Mary’s and Holy Apostles parishes (baptized and confirmed on Easter 1987). In his personal life Dale was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He loved camping and fishing along the Lochsa, North Fork of the Clearwater and along Red River in North Idaho. He was an avid gardener and absolutely loved his roses. In his retirement he spent hours wood working making cradles, rocking horses, furniture, quilt racks, lovely swinging benches and more. For the last 20 years he has especially enjoyed the friendships he developed with his three times per week coffee group. Dale was a life-long Vandal fan, win or lose and a die-hard Gonzaga basketball fan. In fact, Dale never met a televised sport he did not enjoy. Dale was preceded in death by both his parents and his brother Neil and sister Jean. He is survived by his wife Marian and their seven children: Julie (Greg) Keys, Audrey (Stuart) Rehbein, Michael (Lynn) Dammarell, Jean (Tim) Viehweg, James (Heidi) Dammarell, Marianne (Joe) Palaia, and Joyce Hudson; fifteen grandchildren: Colin Keys, Liam Keys, Caitlin Scardina, Jessica Allred, Ben Rehbein, Daniel Rehbein, Becca Dammarell, Christine Quist, Joseph Viehweg, Lauryn Dammarell, Marin Dammarell, Joseph Palaia, Nicolas Palaia, Thomas Hudson, and Sarah Hudson; and five great-grandsons--Sheridan, Grant, Devin, Swede, and Aric. Profound thanks to All Care Hospice (especially Nicole, Rhonda and Deb) and to all his many doctors over the years. Dale’s family wants to express deep gratitude to all the nursing staff on St. Lukes Meridian 4th floor telemetry unit, especially Whitney, Renae and Mitzi for their gentle loving care of Dale during his last days. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd. on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at noon followed by a reception at the church. Burial with Military Honors will follow the reception at 3:00PM at the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Dale’s name to the Creegan Foundation of St. Mary’s School or Idaho Catholic Charities.