David Paul Meier

David Paul Meier passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 15th, 2023 at the age of 96 in Deer Lodge, Montana. 

He was born on March 16th, 1927 in Winona, Minnesota where he grew up surrounded by a loving family.

Dave took military training at the Great Lakes Naval Center after he reached his 18th birthday, during his senior year of high school. His three brothers had already signed up to serve. After training he joined his crew on the USS Langley to fight during WWII in the Mediterranean Arena.

When WWII ended, Dave traveled to Montana to pursue a career as an agent with the Northern Pacific and eventually the Burlington Northern Railroad. He worked around the state including Twin Bridges, Garrison and Deer Lodge throughout his forty year career. He was fondly known as Depot Dave!

On August 1st, 1959 Dave married Nora Ryan. Together they had three daughters Shelly, Mary and Patty. Nora and Dave were married for 63 wonderful years and she supported him throughout his career.

Dave was always active in the community and willing to lend a helping hand to friends and strangers. Dave belonged to the Deer Lodge Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he could often be found volunteering to help for special occasions or events. His faith was a strong part of his life. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus for over 25 years, an American Legion member, Boy Scout Leader, and Veterans Honor Guard member participating in over 100 military funerals. Depot Dave was one of the few people in Montana that could still do Morse Code and enjoyed sharing it with others through demonstrations with the Montana Morse Telegrapher’s Association. Giving back to his community and his military service to his country were important to Dave.

As a father and grandfather to all “girls” he made sure they knew how to fish, camp, hunt and work around tools. Dave worked hard for his family, enjoyed the great outdoors that Montana provided with an unparalleled zest for life until the very end. He was well known for his ability to tell many stories about hunting elk in the Rubies, fishing with his granddaughters, his garden, and being on his daughter’s boat in Alaska with family (He always caught the biggest fish!). His optimism in life and compassion for family, friends, and strangers touched those around him. We will never know how many people were impacted by his willingness to help others over the years. Dave's secret to a long life was staying active, along with spending time with family and many wonderful friends throughout his life. The world was a better place with Dave in it and he will be greatly missed by all.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Paul Meier, his sisters Jean Gervais and Patricia Meier, brothers: Stanley, Charles and Gerald Meier and daughter Patricia (Patty) Traverso.

He is survived by his wife Nora Meier, daughters; Richelle(Shelly) Deering, Mary Perkins, grandchildren; Kathryn (Katy) Germann, Zoey and Alyah Perkins.

The funeral service for Dave will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Deer Lodge, Montana at 11:00 a.m. Memorials can be directed to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: www.themmrf.org or Immaculate Conception Church: 605 Clark St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.