Dale Lynn Vandersloot

Dale Lynn Paul Vandersloot, lovingly known as "Vader" at the coal mine, passed away peacefully at home in Hardin, Montana, on February 10, 2026, at the age of 68. He died of natural causes and was proud to be a cancer survivor.

Born on June 1, 1958, in Hardin, Montana, Dale was raised on the banks of the Little Horn River, where the land, the river, and the people shaped the man he would become. In his early days, he excelled at fixing balers and stacking hay - skills that reflected his strong work ethic and deep connection to the agricultural life of the community. He graduated from Hardin High School in 1976 and remained rooted in his hometown for his entire life. For more than 40 years, he lived in and took great pride in the home he built his life around in Hardin.

Dale was proud of his Crow heritage. It was not something he boasted loudly about, but something he carried with strength, humility, and honor. His identity, values, and deep connection to family and community reflected that heritage in the way he lived - loyal, resilient, generous, and deeply committed to those he loved.

He was the beloved son of Robert C. Vandersloot and Pearl Redden Vandersloot, who survive him.

Dale was first married to Vicki Mereness Brown and later to Karleen Pitsch. He was a devoted father to Brandon Brown, Tennille Brown, and Joshua Vandersloot. Nothing brought him greater joy than being a grandfather to Nevaeh, Alia, Bryson, and Nikolaus. Watching Nevaeh play volleyball made him one of the happiest men in the world. He beamed with pride watching Alia grow into the young woman she is today and delighted in the constant antics of Nik and Bryson. His grandchildren were his heart.

He is also survived by his siblings: Robert (Nola) Vandersloot, William Vandersloot, Cyndy (Tony) Maxwell; Candy (Jon) Wells.

He was preceded in death by Chet and Marie (Vandervoort) Vandersloot; William and Mae (Sucher) Redden; his children Eric, Miranda, Connor, and Brianna; his sister-in-law Janet Vandersloot and his nephew Travis Vandersloot; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Dale worked many jobs throughout his life, including with John Deere, W&M Plumbing and Heating, Dale's Automotive, Westmoreland Resources (Coal Mine Supervisor)- where he dedicated over 20 years - and most recently at Mike's Quick Lube. He was widely known in the community for his exceptional automotive skill. If it had an engine, Dale could fix it. His mechanical talent was matched by his easy laughter and his ability to get along with everyone he met.

He was a proud member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hardin.

Dale loved camping, auto repair, reservation basketball, bowling, golf, and watching the WNBA. He was perhaps the biggest fan of the Minnesota Vikings anyone had ever known. One of his proudest memories was winning a National Family Doubles bowling with his son Josh when he was just 10 years old. He also loved cheering on his nieces as they played professionally in the WNBA for the Chicago Sky and the New York Liberty.

He found peace tending to his lawn and planting flowers and peppers in his garden each year. But more than anything, Dale loved his family. He raised his son with pride, helped raise his grandchildren, and impacted countless people with his generosity, laughter, and steady presence.

Dale will be remembered as a loving son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend - a man proud of his Crow heritage, proud of his work, proud of his family, and proud of the life he built in Hardin.

He loved them all.