Vance Dols Obituary

08/06/53 – 01/04/07

Vance was born Aug. 6, 1953, in Billings, to Jeannette and Gary Dols. He was taken "home" by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday morning, Jan. 4, 2007, after an extended illness.
Vance attended Washington Elementary, Lewis & Clark Junior High and graduated from Senior High School in 1971. He attended the University of Montana and graduated from Eastern Montana College (MSU-B) with a degree in elementary education. He taught in School District 11 for 23 years and was a first, second, and third grade teacher during that time. He loved his "kids" and they knew and loved him as Mr. Dols.
Vance was a dedicated member of Faith Chapel. He taught Sunday school, helped at Kids Camp in the summers, listened to Bible verses from his "kids" on Wednesday nights, and loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all his heart. He was an inspiration to many and will be remembered for his beautiful smile, his gentle ways (he was a gentle man), and his faithfulness to Jesus. He will be missed.
He is survived by his Mom, Jeannette, and his Dad, Gary, both of Billings; his loving and caring sisters, Connie of Depoe Bay, Ore., and Renee of Sparta, N.J., his Aunt Marg and Uncle Bill; Aunt Madie; and cousins, JoEllen, Terry, Lauren, and Rick and many, many loving friends. Vance was preceded in death by his younger brother, Guy, in 1992; his Grandma Blair, his Grandma and Grandpa Dols and his Uncle Fran.
The memorial service will be held at Faith Chapel (Shiloh and Broadwater) at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9. To further celebrate Vance's life, the service will be followed by a luncheon reception at the church. Memorials in Vance's memory may be made to Kids Ministry, Faith Chapel, P.O. Box 20674, Billings, MT 59104, or to Horizon Hospice House, 1019 Neptune, Billings, MT 59105.
A very special thank you to our loving Faith Chapel Family and to the wonderful staff at Horizon Hospice House for the loving care they offered Vance.
We love you, Vance! As your Savior took you home, we know he smiled and said,

Well done, Good and Faithful Servant.
Matthew 25:21

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Billings Gazette on Jan. 7, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Vance Dols

13 Entries

Liz Olivo (Hulbert)

November 10, 2021

Was just thinking about Mr. Dols and what an impact he had on my life. He was my third grade teacher. I can still remember (20 yrs later) the love and kindness he showed me and all his students. I hope to see him again some day.

January 26, 2007

As a colleague and fellow teacher, I will miss Vance. He was an inspiration and role model. Vance volunteered with me at the Rescue Mission Family Shelter, tutoring, teaching and helping children with homework after school, just to mention one of the ways he reached out. God bless the Dols family. KSK

Jennifer, Josh, Cadon

January 17, 2007

Vance was more than a friend... he was family. We miss him, his caring ways, his deep faith, his fun sense of humor, his positive outlook and smile. Our lives are forever changed, he has left a special footprint in our lives forever. We love you and miss you Vance. Thank you for being a special part of our family. I know you are in the loving hands of the Lord. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jeannette, Gary, Connie, and Renee. Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos at the memorial.

Linda Lardis Alterations by Linda

January 12, 2007

Dols Family
I was so sorry to read about Vance passing away. I know he put up a good fight for many years. I am so glad I got to know Vance thru the shop. He was an inspiration to many. May he rest in peace.

Eric Simpson

January 10, 2007

What a truly fine gentleman Vance was! We met through his sister Connie, and have shared some of the same health issues through the years. His obvious caring, his sense of humor, and the love he has for his family... it is our honor to have known him. Our prayers and love are (and will continue to be) with the whole Dols family.

Sandi Shirts

January 9, 2007

My son, Dennis Gordon Shirts, had Mr. Dols as his 3rd Grade teacher in 1997 and turned into an avid reader, thanks to Mr. Dols introducing the Redwall books. Mr. Dols has been, to this day (and he's a Senior now), Gordon's favorite teacher. My daughter, Kristi, who was just a preschooler when we first met Mr. Dols, used to delight in bringing "show and tell" to Mr. Dols after school as we waited for her brother. The two of them (Mr. Dols and Kristi) would talk for 15-20 minutes each day, with Mr. Dols asking Kristi to explain her show and tell in detail. She remembers those days well, and will cherish them always. He taught her, at even that early age, how to present, and he made her transition from preschool to "real" school easy. Kristi would make decorations for his Christmas tree each year and it seemed her goal was to please him. Thank you, Vance, for teaching BOTH my children so well and for being a good friend to all. You will always be in our hearts.

Barb & Jordyn Donahue

January 9, 2007

Vance was my daughter Jordyn's 3rd grade teacher at Alkali Creek School. He was a fabulous teacher and touched the lives of many. He will be greatly missed.

Teresa King - Garcia

January 8, 2007

Vance was a good friend of mine and my brothers at Lewis & Senior. We will miss him and would like to extend our sympathy to Jeanette, Gary and family.

JoAnne Beringer

January 7, 2007

Guy and Vance were both childhood friends. I have many happy memories of watching hocky on the "new" cable TV with Guy and many hours spent just hanging out in the Dols' basement. Everyone was welcome. They remain in the hearts of many.

Barbara Boe

January 7, 2007

Jeanette and Gary: Our deepest prayers and sympathies are with you and your family. We treasure memories of both of you and your sons.
Barbara and Chris Boe (Seattle)

Sheila

January 7, 2007

Goodbye is not forever to one who's saved by grace;
So I'll say "I'll see you later",
Till I see you face to face.

Thank you for touching my life, Vance.
Your forever friend,

Cody Stensland

January 7, 2007

Mr. Dols was my 2nd grade teacher at Arrowhead in 1995. He was my favorite teacher and was the only one that could get me to read books and to even enjoy it. We used to visit at church and I will miss him very much. He was a wonderful friend and teacher.
Good Bye Mr. Dols,

Cody Stensland

James - Kathy Bowman

January 7, 2007

Vance will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. His arrival in heaven is a day of rejoicing, he and Guy will be together to worship at the Masters feet. Our love and prayers are with you all.

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