Dale Albert Fasching

Dale Albert Fasching, 85, passed with peace, dignity and grace the evening of July 20th, 2025 at St. Vincent’s hospital surrounded by his wife, kids and grandkids. We’re so very fortunate everyone could make it home in time to say goodbye. It was an easy one for Dad, deserving of a man who lived a life like he did. For that we will be forever grateful.

Dale was born the 2nd of three children (Marlene, LeRoy) to Albert (Bert) and Marion Fasching in Beach, N.D. on January 5th, 1940. For a time they lived in Golva but relocated to Wibaux while Dad was in grade school. They moved the entire house, spending the next few years hand-digging the basement in 5 gallon buckets. Dad never shied from honest, hard work and spent a career seeing it through. He set a living example for all of us.

Mom had a crush on Dad since the day his Wibaux 7th grade basketball team traveled to play Glendive. They were married in Glendive, MT on September 15th 1962 and moved to Missoula while Dad completed his accounting degree. They then moved to Denver where he worked for the Pete, Marwick and Mitchell CPA firm. He passed the CPA on his first attempt and received the highest state (MT) score in Theory. While in Denver they welcomed two daughters, Christine (Lhanna, Sophia, James) and Paulette, but MT held its pull. In 1965 Dad accepted a position with the Maury Colberg Sr. CPA firm in Billings, and shortly thereafter Damon joined the family.

In 1970 LeRoy was killed in Vietnam at FSB Illingworth after a short tour. The loss of his little brother deeply affected Dad but he never wavered. He continued to be a strong husband and father. Mom and Dad made the decision to fill the void and in 1971, Michael LeRoy was born. Dad would eventually become full partner at Colberg. In 1972 Denny Mrachek joined the firm. Dad and Denny would become good friends, and in 1984 Dad left the firm in Denny’s capable hands to start Tamarack Property Management with Greg MacDonald. He and Greg built a fantastic business, running Tamarack successfully for nearly 30 years before Dad made the decision to sell and retire in 2012. While packing up his things we discovered, buried in the back of his desk filing cabinet, an aged, half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels forgotten from a “tough” meeting years before. We left the bottle empty on his desk, now full of memories from that honest, well-respected career.

Dad never turned away a friend and was charitable with his time. He served his community in various capacities, including time on the EMC (now MSU-B) Board of Directors, Hilands Golf Club president (1992), Controller for the St. V’s “Program for Tomorrow” capital fund drive, and delivering meals for the AIDSpirit Montana – Sister Mary V. Maronick program. He was also voted “Boss of the Year” by the Billings Jaycees in 1981.

Dad cut a wide swath. He was smart. He was fair. His wisdom knew no bounds. He was patient, faithful and caring. He was tough in the face of adversity. He was selfless. Dad gave us a life most could only hope for, and every year we grew more appreciative of the sacrifices he made. In the end with the light beginning to fade, he wanted for nothing except to enjoy time with Mom and the family he created. We cherished every Christmas, birthday and Wibaux 4th of July and Thanksgiving. Dad loved to hear a good story and to tell one even more, and his was a life full of great stories.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents Bert and Marion, sister Marlene, brother LeRoy and many, many great friends. We’re lucky all those guys were there to welcome him home. They really are too numerous to mention. The quality of these friendships are truly a measure of Dad’s worth.

The family wants to offer its sincere thanks and appreciation to the ICU staff at St. Vincent’s Healthcare. Your care and guidance were invaluable. We also want to thank his personal trainer Rachel at Anytime Fitness for staying after Dad and giving him good reason for those afternoon naps. And finally, to his Evergreen Café coffee buddies; Dad considered you true friends by which worth could be measured as well. He looked forward to those Tuesdays.

Services will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Thursday August 14th at 10:00 a.m., after which Dad will be laid to rest in St. Pius’s Calvary.

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” Yes, Dad, you have. We all love you very much and look forward to the day we can be together again. Until then do what you’ve always done…live a great story.