Obituary of Dale Dennis Arnzen

Dale Dennis Arnzen, 74, of Craigmont, passed away February 27, 2024 in Coeur d’ Alene. Dale was born March 7, 1949 to Dennis and Audrey (Beckman) Arnzen in Cottonwood.

Dale spent his childhood on the family farm in Greencreek.  He attended school at Greencreek Elementary and graduated from St. Gertrude’s Academy in 1967.  After graduation, Dale attended Lewis-Clark Normal School where he played for the baseball team. Throughout his college education days, he worked various jobs to pay his way through school.

After college, Dale worked for the PCA in Craigmont serving local farmers.  While working at the PCA, he met Charlene Bovey.  The meeting was influenced by his future father-in-law, Maurice. Much to Char’s dismay, one crop tour was taken and the rest is history.  Dale then started working for his Uncle Shorty and Aunt Marge Arnzen at the Cottonwood Saleyard.   June 5, 1976, Dale and Char were married in Greencreek.  After they were married, Dale started to work for Maurice and LaVina Bovey on the family farm located outside of Craigmont. Shortly after, Shane Travis was welcomed to the family on May 16, 1977.  Brett Taylor joined the family on April 7, 1986.  Jared Troy completed their family on October 31, 1993. Dale and Char enjoyed concerts (especially Neil Diamond) and following their boys in all their activities.

The family made their home outside of Craigmont in Cold Springs Canyon.  Later on, Dale went to work for Dokken Implement in Nezperce.  After that, Dale joined Rain and Hail Crop Insurance as an independent crop adjuster where he became one of the Northwest Claims Supervisors through his dedication and strong work ethic.  To the point that he helped write the loss manual on many crops.  Dale continued with Rain and Hail until he retired in 2019.  During the course of his career, he always made the time to help on the family farm.  Dale loved to run his yearlings on the Camas Prairie and Cold Springs Canyon mountainside.  He loved being with his boys, whether it was on the family farm or at the local establishment having Pendleton and water and sharing stories.  Balancing time on the road with Rain and Hail and helping on the family farm, Dale taught the boys what it means to work hard but have fun.

Dale thoroughly enjoyed trapshooting.  This is something he and his boys looked forward to every January through March and you could always count on Dale spearheading a party at the Walla Walla Trapshoot.  Along with trapshooting, Dale enjoyed fishing and hunting.  His favorite place to fish was the Salmon River.  One of Dale's favorite pastimes was shooting squirrels, especially when he got his .17 HMR. 

Dale is survived by his wife of 47 years, Char; sons: Shane Travis, Brett Taylor (Amy, Maci, Macklin Dale and Maverick), Jared Troy (Madison and Teagan Dale) all of Craigmont; sisters: Judy Long, Susie Arnzen, Mary Rhea (Eric), Sandy Harden (Brian); brothers: Brad (Char), Randy (Danette), Clay (Kathy); sisters-in-law: Marilyn, Helen and Carol; mother-in-law, LaVina Bovey; brother-in-law, Brad Bovey (Nancy) and many nieces and nephews.  Dale is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Doug, Gordon, Dennis and Bruce; father-in-law, Maurice Bovey and brother-in-law, Patrick Long.

Funeral services will be Thursday, March 7, 2024 in Greencreek at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with a rosary starting at 10:30 am and Mass to follow at 11:00 am.  Dale will be laid to rest in the Greencreek Cemetery.   There will be a dinner to follow at the Greencreek Community Hall hosted by the Dale Arnzen Family.

Being that March 7^th is Dale’s birthday, we invite you all to come have one heck of a birthday party and as Dale would say “Glad you got to see me.”

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Dale’s name to Craigmont Lion’s Club, PO Box 371, Craigmont, ID, 83523.

Services are under the care of Accent Funeral Home and Blackmer Funeral Home. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com.