Gale Jellum

Gale Allen Jellum, loving father, Grandpa, and brother, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in his sleep at the Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman, Mont.

A celebration of life will be held in Chinook, Mont., at the American Lutheran Church Friday, January 26, at 11 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, Mont., at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Highland Cemetery with a reception to follow at the First Lutheran Church of Glasgow.

Gale was born on March 8, 1943, to Gordon and Ruth (Swanson) Jellum in Fosston, Minn. Gale was the fourth child born to the family of 11 children. Gale loved to tell the story of when he was 10 years old, he and his two brothers rode from Minnesota to Montana in the bed of a grain truck, under a tarp, to start a new beginning in farming.

Gale started his first real job at the age of 11 when he moved in with the neighboring farmer, Angeline Belzer. He enjoyed the luxury of having his own bedroom, along with plenty of food, as well as heat and running water. 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, Mont., on a wrestling scholarship his freshman year and after two years at MSU he transferred to Washington State University in Pullman, Wash., to pursue his degree in Veterinary Medicine.

On 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 MT 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. He enjoyed walking the fields, surveying and analyzing his crops.

His wife, Karen, passed away in 2013, and Gale continued to focus on his grandsons, Lucas and Levi. He enjoyed buying them the newest John Deere toys and loved it when they traveled to the farm to help with harvest. He enjoyed all the numerous sports they were involved with.

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

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

Suggested memorials to the American Lutheran Church of Chinook, First Lutheran Church of Glasgow, Lions Club of Chinook or a charity of your choice.