David Henley

Dave Henley died on March 6th, 2018. He is the third of nine children born to Ruth and Paul Henley of Lansing, Michigan. Dave adopted Montana as his home in 1978 starting in Big Sky where he met his wife, Jeana. They were married in 1981 and moved to Bozeman. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Emma.



Dave loved being outside. Dave was frequently seen around town either walking or running when weather would permit. In the winter he would be found cross country skiing. If it was sunny...he was outside.



Warm spring days after a long winter would find him out digging in the garden and working in the yard. He enjoyed the camaraderie at the community gardens. His...was generally full of flowers, particularly sunflowers. The year Emma married Mike Garre he planted nothing but sunflowers. That was one of the happiest times in recent years because his family was all together.



His family meant the world to him. He is survived by his wife Jeana, daughter Emma, his siblings: Dennie, Janeen, Don, Mary, Pete, Eileen, Doug and Christine and his many nephews and nieces. He had a big place in his heart for his nephews and nieces and enjoyed being an indulgent uncle. He diligently tried to remember everyone's birthdays and wanted them to feel special. He would often send small gifts to friends and family through the mail because...well, who doesn't like a tangible reminder that they are thought about and loved. The gifts were often kind of goofy and inconsequential particularly in contrast to the thought that went into them and the joy he received from sending them. This was something his mother often did, and he carried it on.



Dave was self-deprecating and did not mind making fun of himself. He enjoyed being in on the joke. He was a man with simple needs and simple pleasures. Montana was home but Higgins Lake, Michigan held a special place in his heart. So many happy memories there.



Dave held several jobs during his lifetime. He worked 27 and a half years for the State of Montana Office of Public Assistance. He retired five years ago. His last few years found him beset with health issues, he would rebound and then have another setback, rebound and then another. He finally succumbed to this last setback, complications from pneumonia.



Dave was fiercely independent but had lately been the recipient of other’s generosity at the Bozeman Health Cancer Center and would appreciate any remembrances in his honor be directed there.



Dave's memorial service will be Monday, March 12th 5:30pm at Dahl Funeral Home. The service will be a sharing of food (potluck), memories and a message of hope. Please stop in and share your favorite Dave story.