Billings Gazette Billings, MT 7 Jul 2007 A. Dean Loken, a quiet man with strong convictions, was born Aug. 1, 1926, in Rapelje, to Iver "Happy" and Margaret Loken. He died from Alzheimer's on July 4, 2007, maintaining his dignity, along with the love and respect of all who knew him. Dean was raised and went to school in Rapelje. On Feb. 17, 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served on the battleship USS Young in the Western Pacific. He received an honorable discharge on July 9, 1947. On Jan. 17, 1948, Dean and Esther Michael were united in marriage. They would have been married for 60 years at their next anniversary. Dean worked as a butcher for Reiners Markets for several years. Later, he owned the New Pioneer Bar, where he met many characters he called friends. In his younger years, Dean was an avid bowler. He always looked forward to traveling to tournaments with his many friends. He was a gifted artist whose outstanding landscapes are cherished by his family. He also loved the water and spent many summers with his family at Coeur d'Alene Lake. He enjoyed water skiing, fishing and entertaining all his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Mildred Chapman, Vera Hildebrand, Virginia Reed and Myrtle Loken. Survivors include his wife, Esther; sister-in-law, Helen Anderson of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; brother-in-law Irvin "Mike" Michael and his wife Jeanne of Billings; three nieces, Stacy Michael of Billings, Penny Anderson (Ed) of Coeur d'Alene and Anita Johnson (Bob) of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three nephews, Steve Michael (Jen), Jeff Michael (Teresa), all of Billings and Larry Anderson (Sharon) of Coeur d'Alene; a special cousin, Cheryl Klockhammer of Billings; his grandniece Sadie; three grandnephews, Colter, Aden, and his beloved Alec who will never say goodbye - only hello! A special thanks to Ken Heikes, Dorothy Turnbull, Gayle Krogedal and all those who have been so helpful throughout this very trying time. Dean, we will miss you and always love you! Visitations will begin at noon on Sunday, July 8, at the Smith West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. The burial will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 9, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Smith West Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the church Dean attended, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 409 S. 36th Street, Billings, MT 59101.