Dale Christiansen Cottrell

Dale Christiansen Cottrell died unexpectedly in Las Vegas, Nevada on
December 29, 2014. He was born in Cody, Wyoming on April 30, 1957, the
second child of Samuel Mads and Shirley Christiansen Cottrell.
Dale’s youth was spent living in Meeteetse and enjoying all the
adventures the wonderful town had to offer.  With his family, cousins
and friends, Dale spent hours fishing up the Wood River, exploring, and
enjoying the outdoors.  He earned the Eagle Scout award, attended Boys
State, and was very involved in FFA, serving as the Chapter president.
Dale was also the Meeteetse High School Student Body President and
lettered in football, basketball and track all four years.  His
life-long love of sports continued as he enjoyed watching the local
sports teams compete.
Dale was a seminary graduate and served a two year mission in Anaheim,
California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He
attended school for a semester at Ricks College, then transferred to
Northwest Community College in Powell where he served as the Student
Body President. After graduating from NWCC, he went on to earn two
bachelors’ degrees from the University of Wyoming in Range Management
and Education.  He married Joleen Reasch and to this union, six
wonderful children were born.
Dale worked as an agent in the insurance business in Casper and Cody
for many years.  In his later years, Dale’s tender, kind heart blessed
others as he began working for the Department of Family Services as a
foster parent and the Northern DDSP as a caregiver for those with
special needs.  In 2003, Dale was married and sealed to Irena Turcin in
the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. Over the years, the couple tenderly loved
and cared for three foster children and for three adults with special
needs, as well as assisting with many others.
Dale’s greatest love was spending time with his sweetheart, Irena.  He
was a master story-teller and could keep people entertained for hours
with his humor and wit.  He loved fishing, the outdoors, college
football, watching the Cody Night Rodeo, and listening to the elk bugle
in Yellowstone Park.  He especially loved the great state of Wyoming and
living in Cody and enjoyed sharing that love with everyone he knew. One
of Dale’s most favorite experiences was raising and showing animals at
the Park County Fair, both as a youth, and also with his children.  Dale
served in many different callings in the LDS Church.  He loved and was
always so proud of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
          He was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Cottrell and
his brother-in-law Steve Kruger.
          He is survived by his wife, Irena of Cody, and his father Mads
(Rose Marie) Cottrell of Powell; His siblings; Nancy Kruger of
Meeteetse, Carrie (Des) Bennion of Casper, Connie (John) Moore of
Powell, and Carl (Candace) Cottrell of Worland.  His children: Kayse
(Koffi) Amevor of Cottonwood Heights, UT, Christopher of Bountiful, UT,  
Ashley (Bret) Kobe of South Weber, UT, Joseph (Ashley) of Logan, UT,
Joshua (Rachel) of Logan, UT, Matthew of Logan, UT, four grandchildren
and many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his special friend
Bill Gray.
           Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral
Home.  Funeral services will be held at the Cody, Wyoming Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center, 1407 Heart Mountain,
Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 10 a.m.  Burial and dedication of the grave
will follow at the Meeteetse cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials
may be sent to Northwest College, 231 West 6th St., Powell, WY  82435.