Dale Lavigne, 91

Dale Benedict Lavigne, 91, of Osburn, Idaho, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away Feb. 25, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Dale was born April 29, 1931, in Kellogg, Idaho, to Emma (Sala) and Ben Lavigne.

As a young man growing up in Kellogg, Dale was active in school sports and played in a band at many different bars and clubs throughout the Silver Valley. During high school and when home from college, he also worked at the Pik-Kwik Market in Kellogg as a meat cutter. As a young man, Dale learned early in life about the value and importance of hard work. He also developed an entrepreneurial spirit. In college at the University of Montana in Missoula, Dale owned and ran his own concession business in the dorms. He sold pop, candy and chips to the other students.

Dale graduated from the University of Montana in 1953 with a degree in pharmacy. He immediately went to work in Wallace at the Brooks Pharmacy. Dale started his first pharmacy, Osburn Drug, shortly thereafter. Eventually, Dale owned and operated, with his brother, Lew, five pharmacies in North Idaho and western Montana. Additionally, they owned the Morrow’s department and clothing store and Tabor’s. As the economy and buying habits changed, the brick and mortar stores were sold or closed and Dale devoted his efforts to developing a specialty clothing and printing business, Idaho Mining Apparel and Supply, currently located in Osburn.

Dale married Rosalyn (Rose) Pfeifer on Sept. 12, 1953, in Kellogg and together they raised seven strong, independent and talented children who continue to follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Dale, along with his dad and older brother, Lew, had many adventures while hunting, fishing and camping throughout the Silver Valley and the St. Joe River areas. Dale and Rose, along with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family friends, were able to enjoy many a summer on the family river property located on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. Being at the river was one of Dale’s greatest loves. It was a time to find peace and recharge his batteries for other projects in life.

Dale’s great loves in life were his family, his Catholic faith and his community. Dale was instrumental in helping to lead or worked on a number of community projects including, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Slippery Gulch Days and the Silver Mountain Gondola project. When the Bunker Hill Mine and Smelter Complex shut down in 1982, resulting in the loss of more than 2,000 jobs, Dale was asked by then Gov. John Evans to lead a group tasked with finding a buyer for the Bunker Hill property. Dale walked away from his many business ventures to help in the search because he recognized the importance of service to his community. Dale’s son, Ron, stepped in to manage the family business while Dale was serving his community and state.

Dale was a member of many clubs and organizations, both locally and nationally, that are far too numerous to mention. Additionally, he served on numerous committees at the local and state levels and received many awards for his business success and service. He was chairman of the Wallace School Board for a number of years. Dale was also chairman of the board of the First National Bank of North Idaho and served on numerous other corporate and charitable boards. He served on the board of trustees at Gonzaga University in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Dale was always willing to work with bringing people together to solve problems.

Dale was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Emma; and his brother, Lewis.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Rose; seven children and their spouses, Ron (Paula) Lavigne, Michelle (Tom) Kilbourne, Mike (Kellie) Lavigne, Cindy (Rand) Martinez, Dave (Ann) Lavigne, Joe (Jamie) Lavigne and Dan (Michelle) Lavigne; 20 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; and extended family members, Jim (Jodie) Roletto and family, and Gordon (Carolyn) Turner and family. He also leaves behind many good friends and acquaintances.

A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace, with Father Jerome Montez and Father Bruno Segatta concelebrating the Mass. A private family burial for Dale will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg immediately following the funeral Mass. Additionally, a reception/luncheon will be held at the Wallace Elks Lodge in Wallace immediately following the funeral Mass; everyone is welcome.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the St. Alphonsus Foundation, P.O. Box 469, Wallace, ID 83873; the Osburn City Library or the charity of your choice.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the family with arrangements. You may share your special memories of Dale with his family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.