Dennis Victor Tolan, 60, passed away unexpectedly at his home on the evening of Thursday, October 16, of natural causes. Dennis was born on February 14, 1954, in Wolf Point, MT, a true valentine gift to Victor and Elsie (Christopherson) Tolan. Dennis, along with his older sister Lenora and younger brother Darryl, grew up south of Wolf Point in the Redwater area. His first years were spent living in a log cabin near the Hilger School, until the family moved to their basement house across the road when Dennis was eight. He attended the Hilger School through second grade, Southview School through eighth grade, and finally high school in Wolf Point, graduating with the class of 1972.
Dennis married Sandra Doornek on November 17, 1972. They lived and worked for a while in Wolf Point before moving back to the Redwater area to help with the family farm and ranch operation. During their years on the farm, Dennis and Sandra welcomed three children into their family – Kami, Sharla, and Chad. Dennis loved the farm life, especially liked working with cattle. He enjoyed the close company of his family, his lifelong friends, and his neighbors. In addition to working on the farm, he delivered mail for the Vida post office and did seasonal work for the McCone County Road Department before being hired on full-time with the county. The family moved closer to Wolf Point in 1983, making their home near Frontier School. Dennis continued working for the county, and was promoted to Road Supervisor in 1992. Sandra passed away in 1994 after several years of battling cancer, with Dennis at her side as a steadfast and loyal husband. Dennis was over the moon when he married his high school sweetheart and lifelong friend, Peggy Johnson, on July 27, 2001, on a hill overlooking the log cabin where he grew up, once again demonstrating his constant love for the people and places that were his most valued treasures. Dennis and Peggy remained in Wolf Point, and Dennis recently retired after many years with the county. He looked forward to spending his days camping, fishing and boating and taking friends and family out on the lake to fish, tube and ski. In 2012, he and Peggy fulfilled Dennis’s life-long dream of going to Hawaii and touring Pearl Harbor.
Dennis was very determined in anything he chose to do, and pursued his passions with a steady effort. Learning to play the guitar was one such effort, and Dennis was excited and nervous when his efforts paid off and he was asked to play in the “Little Bit of Country” band with friends Marvin Olson, and Rocky and Hardy Braaten. Dennis also enjoyed watching football, especially the Vikings games, and was thrilled to be able to attend two games in Minnesota – one with his son and grandson; and one with his brother. Playing cards and socializing with his friends was another favorite pastime, and he always had time to spend with those he loved. Dennis’s humor and warm personality will be missed by all who were ever blessed to share a table with him.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy, of Wolf Point; daughters Kami (Adam) Chamberlain of Billings (children T-Jay, Kyla, Amanda, Lena); Sharla (Cory) Lane of Laurel (children Tyrel, Paige, Cohlter, Dylan, Austin); son Chad (Jenn) Tolan of Billings (children Ashley, Jacob); step-daughter Jill Bible of Tioga, ND; sister Lenora (Larry) Stephenson of Circle; brother Darryl (Noreen) of Glendive; one great-granddaughter Natalia; and a very special aunt, Vera Paulson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vic and Elsie Tolan, his wife Sandra, and his son-in-law Travis Gerttula.
A vigil for Dennis will be at the Clayton-Stevenson chapel at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 23. Funeral services will be at the First Lutheran Church on Friday, October 24, at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.