Donald Allen Dorlarque

Donald Allen Dorlarque, 69 of Columbia Falls, Montana, passed away Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

A public viewing will be held from 3-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at the Columbia Mortuary located at 1010 4th Avenue West in Columbia Falls, Montana.

Don was born in Soap Lake, Washington, where he and his six siblings were raised. Don graduated high school in Coulee City, Washington and was one of 14 students to graduate from the school that year.

His parents, Jack and Donna Dorlarque, moved to Columbia Falls, Montana and bought the Dew Drop Inn in 1970. In 1972, Don moved to Columbia Falls and helped his parents run the Dew Drop Inn until they sold the establishment in 1973. After selling, Donna continued to work at the Dew Drop Inn while Jack took a job with the National Forest Service.

After leaving the Inn, Don accepted a position with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad May 1976. He worked for the railroad out of Essex, Montana until he retired in April 2008. During his time working for the railroad, his job functions ranged from track work, cut-in new rails, installing new ties, and steel and tie gang work and train derailment support. During the winter months, Don also plowed snow up and down the Continental Divide.

Don married Jolla Kickbush in 1973 and they raised Phillip Kickbush and Nathan Dorlarque. In 1986, he married Patti Kluth and they remained married for 35 years and raised Nathan and Jacqui Kluth.

After retiring from Burlington Northern Santa Fe in 2008, Don volunteered his time at the Columbia Falls Junior High School where he supported the master gardener to dig holes, planted 24 trees, work the flower brush and mounts. He continued this volunteer effort for two years.

For about four or five years, he also volunteered alongside friend Bob Smith at the Columbia Falls baseball fields where they painted, repaired, mowed and overall ensured the fields were ready for play.

In 2015, Don served as a Columbia Falls High School (CFHS) Wildc/kat Athletic Endowment Association board member for four years. Patti provided volunteer support by coordinating donations for school events and fundraisers. By August 2016, the Association reported to the Hungry Horse News the Association and Endowment supporters they collectively raised $500,000. These funds were used to allow CFHS athletes to play without paying for fees and essentials. Don resigned his board member position in 2019.

As in their tradition, Don and Patti continued attending CFHS sporting events. One can always find them in the stands, whether at home games or on the road, dressed in blue and white school colors. Don has been known to appear in the stands donning face paint with signs cheering on the high school athletes. For his effort, he was named a CFHS Wildc/kat #1 Super Fan in January 2014.

The same energy was shared in the stands of any given Montana Grizzly game.

After serving on the CFHS Wildc/kat Athletic Endowment Association, Don has volunteered for several years at the Columbia Falls Food Bank and served meals to community residents between Whitefish and Columbia Falls via the Meals on Wheels program.

Surviving family includes his wife, Patti; three children, Phillip Kickbush and wife Kortni of Coram, Montana; Nathan Dorlarque and wife Shaylyn of West Jordan, Utah; and Jacqui Barker and husband James Barker of Panama City Beach, Florida.

Don is preceded in death by wife Jolla Kickbush, father Jack Dorlarque, mother Donna Dorlarque, and brother Jack.

Surviving siblings include Peggy Phillps of Ephrata, Washington, Dan Dorlarque of Cortez, Colorado, Sandra Dorlarque of Anaconda, Montana, Janice Dorlarque of Roseburg, Oregon and Annette Dorlarque of Columbia Falls, Montana.

Don has eight grandchildren: McKenzie Kickbush, Lauren Ramirez, Gage Handwork, Kyle Dorlarque, Robert Johnson, Isaiah Dorlarque, Jenna Barker, Austin Kickbush, and Shane Dorlarque. He also has one great-great grandchild Bristol Kriskovich.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association at P.O. Box 2732 Columbia Falls 59912, the Columbia Falls Senior Center, Columbia Falls Food Bank or the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.