David Joseph Powers Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

“Well, that’s it!” It was a good run for David Joseph “Dave” Powers. He passed away peacefully Saturday, March 13, 2021 at his home in Butte watching the deer. He was 84 years old. Dave was born in Butte Tuesday, December 15, 1936 to Joseph “Porky” and Albina (Kuffner) Powers. He attended Butte Schools, including St. Mary’s Grade School, graduated from Boy’s Central then went to work for the Anaconda Company at the Steward Mine while attending the Butte Business College at night. Dave started his apprenticeship with the Steam Fitters and Pipe Fitters before joining the U.S. army in October of 1959. He was honorably discharged in February of 1962 and returned to Butte to resumed his apprenticeship. He continued to work for the Anaconda Company all the while getting more and more involved and active in the union. Dave represented four local unions in negotiations in Washington DC and served in countless positions within these unions during his career. He was also a founding member of the Butte Labor Day Picnic Organization Committee. Dave married Madeline Mary deBeaufort at Fort Ord, California in 1959 and she preceded him in death on September 13, 2004. He is also preceded in death by his son, Adam who passed away April 11, 2018, his parents and his sister-in-law, Jean Powers. He and his family moved to Idaho Falls where he worked as a supervisor of craft shops for the Idaho Nuclear Energy Laboratory and returned to Montana in 1998, settling in the fine city of Dewey, where he served as honorary mayor and enjoyed fishing the upper Big Hole and area lakes. He also enjoyed hunting especially with his sons and cutting wood in the summer, seeing how many chain saws he could wear out. Dave is survived by his brother, John Powers of Butte, sons and daughters-in-law, David and Karen Powers of Puyallup, WA, Paul Powers and Brenda Glenn of Pleasanton, CA, Matthew and Nikki Powers of Butte and Benjamin and Zora Powers of Bozeman. Surviving grandchildren Matthew Powers and Danda Rodda, Lauren Powers, Kristina and Daniel Herms, Alyssa Powers, Michaela Powers, Kennedy Powers and Kirstyn Powers, Nick Powers and Keagen Powers. One great-granddaughter, Mikenley, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, April 5, 2021 at 1 PM in St. Ann’s Catholic Church and entombment will Rite of Committal will be in Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum. His family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon in church. A reception will follow services at the cemetery. “Oh! One more thing. Shop for union made items, buy American and support your local union.” - Dave

Tributes

David Joseph Powers

December 15, 1936 - March 13, 2021