Doyle J. Kjellsen

Celebration of Life Service for Doyle J. Kjellsen age 86 of Bozeman, MT formally of Arlington will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 6, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington. Inurnment will be in the Arlington City Cemetery.

Doyle passed away July 1, 2024 at the Gallatin Nursing Home in Bozeman, MT. Arrangements are with Johnson-Henry/Crawford Osthus Funeral Home of Arlington.

Doyle James Kjellsen was born Nov 19, 1937 to Otto and Rose (Norgaard) Kjellsen on a farm near Arlington South Dakota. He graduated from Arlington High School in 1956 and attended trade school in Chicago for electronic television and radio repair. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1958 and served until October 1963.

On February 11, 1961 he married Karen Louise (Rohl) Kjellsen in California.

Upon leaving the Marine Corps, Doyle and Karen moved back to Arlington where Doyle farmed with his father and drove truck for his brother. They then moved to Sioux Falls and later Hartford where he worked for Morrells. After 10 years at Morrells, the family moved to Deadwood where they owned and operated United Campground. Doyle also worked at Homestake gold mine and Wharf Resources. Doyle was many things, all of which he did well: he was a farmer, Marine, trucker, handyman, foreman, business owner, maintenance manager, elevator operator and city lawn mower. It can be said that while he worked hard, he played hard, too. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved nature and wildlife and had a natural talent with animals, especially horses and dogs. Who can forget him traveling around Arlington in his side-by-side with Max, his beloved Labrador retriever, right next to him. He loved his family and his extended family and was instrumental in orchestrating dozens of family reunions that live on to this day with his children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren.

Doyle took great pride in being a handyman who could build, fix, or repair nearly anything. He was fiercely loyal and would take on anything for the people he loved. He was known to be a sharp critic, but actually had a sensitive and caring side reserved for those closest to him. 

He is survived by his wife Karen and their three children: Lane Kjellsen and Lanie DeLong of Southern Pines, North Carolina; Teri Kjellsen of Bozeman, Montana; and Heidi Chretien of Three Forks, Montana; a grandson Dana and Laura (France) Kjellsen of Pine Bluff, North Carolina; and a

Granddaughter Delaney Kjellsen of Lakewood, Colorado; three great grandchildren to Dana and Laura; Leif Otto Kjellsen, Camile Ivy Kjellsen, and Eliza Rose Kjellsen.

He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings; Joan, Dwayne, Marlene, Sandy, Darris, and Devonne.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant, Arlington, Lake Preston and Oldham.

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