Dale Doornek
Dale Murel Doornek, 55, passed away on Dec. 23, 2020, in Monroe, Wash., from medical issues related to paraplegia, which was the result of a motorcycle accident that changed his life in unexpected ways.
Dale was born on April 30, 1965, in Wolf Point, Mont., the fourth child of Murel and Mary Ann (Fraser) Doornek. Dale's formative years were spent in Wolf Point, but he treasured summers spent on the family farm north of Lustre. The days were always too short for a boy on the farm, where Dale enjoyed farming the fields with Dad, swimming in the creek with his siblings, stealing strawberries from Grandma's garden, and hunting gophers with his brother.
As a teenager, Dale’s passion was working on cars. He rescued his parents' first car from the scrap heap on the farm, fixed it up, and christened it “The General Lee.” It became infamous for its role in many adventures involving teenage boys, fast cars and mind-altering substances!
After graduating from high school in 1983, Dale was rebuilding another car when he suffered his first major accident. Returning from an auto junkyard in January 1984, Dale crashed into the side of a fast-moving Amtrak passenger train, destroying his vehicle and severely injuring Dale.
After several months of recovery, Dale decided to make some changes in his life. He started college in Williston, N.D., and then continued by studying aircraft maintenance in Helena, Mont. Following his graduation from Helena Vo-Tech in 1988, Dale moved to Everett, Wash., to work as an aircraft mechanic. Dale built many lifelong friendships during his time there and finally earned enough money to buy the Harley-Davidson motorcycle that he had always wanted.
The Harley would eventually prove fatal. Riding drunk on a winding mountain road near Granite Falls, Wash., in May 1994, Dale lost control and crashed into a pole. The accident left him paralyzed below the chest, and divided his life into “before” and “after.”
After the accident, Dale quickly learned to navigate life from a wheelchair, and he constantly demonstrated that “disabled” doesn't mean “unable.” Dale continued his education, earning a bachelor of science in professional aeronautics in 2004.
During later years, Dale learned to ski in Colorado, dog-sledded the boundary waters of Minnesota, canoed for a month in the Yukon territory, competed in Wheelchair Bodybuilding, earned a bronze medal in the World Rowing Championships in Italy, kayaked the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, toured the ancient temples of India, visited Mexico and Korea and England, sky-dived in Washington, rappelled down a 40-story skyscraper in Seattle, bungee-jumped from bridges in Canada and Australia, and much more.
Dale moved to Sultan, Wash., in 1998, and became active in his new community by serving with various community groups and on the city council. Dale also took time to mentor kids through Boys & Girls Clubs, traveled to schools throughout Washington to share his experiences with drinking-and-driving, visited and prayed with prisoners, and counseled traumatic injury patients facing the same fears that he had faced. His zest for life and adventure was never tempered by concerns of physical limitations.
Dale's medical issues began to worsen in 2007, partly as a result of his incredibly active lifestyle. Long “incarcerations” in medical facilities frustrated Dale, since they interfered with whatever adventure he was planning! During these difficult times, Dale nurtured his Catholic faith, which helped sustain him in his darkest hours. The Rosary became his constant prayer, and he read his Bible daily. His studies enabled him to accept his own suffering as a means of drawing him closer to Jesus.
Dale developed enduring friendships anchored by his concern for others, and often felt that others had trials far more difficult than his own. Teasing was his trademark: frequent and light-hearted, with good intent. It was his way of breaking down walls to build stairways, so that he could help each friend reach their own goals.
Many of Dale’s favorite memories involved growing up among a large family, and his family was a wellspring of strength and consolation. In difficult times, he was sustained by the memories of his grandmother, parents and sister, and close relationships with his immediate family. As years passed, Dale treasured his family ever more and worked to develop stronger bonds with his siblings and his many nieces and nephews.
Dales’ life was a testament to perseverance amid adversity, and of the joy to be found in meeting any challenge. His positive attitude, trust in God and hope for the future were an inspiration to all who knew him, and his death leaves an immense void in all our hearts.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents, and his oldest sister, Sandra.
He is survived by three sisters, Carla (Kurt) Jenewein of Chinook, Mont., Donna Doornek of Wolf Point, Mont., and Lorie (David) Watters of Billings, Mont.; and one brother: Loren (Ka Mun) Doornek of Westminster, Calif. Dale treasured his nieces and nephews: Kami, Sharla, Chad, Ross, Klint, Edan, KaSandra, Katie, Karen, Kailey, Joseph, Shalan and Chase.
A funeral Mass will be held on Jan. 5, 2021, at St. Mary of the Valley Catholic Church in Monroe, Wash., with Fr. Phillip Bloom presiding. Services will be live-streamed due to COVID restrictions. Dale’s earthly remains will be interred in Montana. Evergreen Funeral Home of Everett, Wash., was entrusted with arrangements.
(Paid Obituary)
