Dillon Shane Dempsey “Shane”, age 69, of East Helena

Dillon Shane Dempsey, “Shane”, passed away June 19, 2024 after a long battle with heart problems with his best friend and wife, Shelley, by his side. Shane was 69.

Shane was born to John and Eileen Dempsey on May 12, 1955 in Townsend, MT. He joined his older sister Cecelia and the family lived in White Sulphur Springs, MT. He and his sister shared a special relationship after his father John passed away suddenly when Shane was just six. Cecelia was like his second mother and kept a watchful eye over him, which was often needed given how busy he, his cousin Steve Buckingham, and his neighborhood friends, more specifically Jim Berg, were. 

Shane graduated from White Sulphur Springs High School in 1973 where he spent most of his time playing every sport. He was a pitcher, quarterback and point guard as well as the class clown. There are so many stories of Shane’s pranks, like riding a motorcycle through the high school or taking all of the books out of the lockers, only to pile them up in the gym.

Shane attended college at Montana State University – Bozeman and then Eastern Montana College where he earned a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Elementary and Special Education. Shane returned to college later in life and earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling at Montana State University of Havre. It was a career in school counseling that Shane retired from, ending his professional career at Helena High School. Shane was a beloved teacher and coach everywhere he taught, many of his students keeping in touch and visiting him later in life to share how impactful he was in their lives. 

Shane and Shelley met and fell in love in Billings during their college years. The two were immediately smitten and married in February of 1980. They had two children, Tanner and Tara. Shane shared his love of sports with his children, especially baseball. He spent years coaching his kids’ teams in White Sulphur with many family vacations spent beside a baseball field – and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. 

Fly fishing was another passion of Shane’s, and he could catch a fish anywhere. Watching Shane fly fish was a true art form, and it was a talent that he shared with so many – he taught his wife, his kids, his granddaughters, and many others who crossed his path throughout the years. Shane had an incredible amount of patience that made him an amazing Fly Fishing Guide and great teacher of fly fishing. His fly fishing was even featured in an issue of Field and Stream – if anyone could represent the beauty and artistry of fly fishing in Montana in Meagher County, it was Shane. 

Shane was intensely proud of his family and loved being there to watch his grandchildren grow up. He spent so much time floating and camping with the family and making memories with his wife, kids, and grandkids all across his home state of Montana. A lot of time was spent camping just outside White Sulphur on the Smith River before it was the place to be. 

The last few years Shane and Shelley had been busy building a cabin in the Highland Mountains – it had always been a dream of his to build his own cabin and he was fortunate to be able to do that alongside his wife, best friend, JB, and brother-in-law, Scott. So many great times were had while they worked away to build Shane’s dream. 

To know Shane was to love him. So many have spoken of his smile, his warm heart, and his ability to tell a hilarious story. His energy was contagious – he truly made everyone he interacted with feel special. The last few years had been a challenge as Shane navigated health issues, but he always stayed positive and strong. He was the true patriarch of his family, the solid, reliable, and loving husband, dad and grandpa, who supported his family no matter what.  

Shane is preceded in death by his father, John Dillon Dempsey, mother, Eileen Bergan Dempsey, father-in-law, James Barney Riis and mother-in-law, Janice Menth Riis. Shane is survived by his wife, Shelley Riis Dempsey, his children, Tanner Dempsey (Emilie), Tara (Dustin Bauch), and his grandchildren Marleigh Steinke (Noah Kovick), Taelyn Ehlke (Blayne Ehlke), Sloane Dempsey and Olin Dempsey. He is also survived by his sister, Cecelia (Richard Roma), brother-in-law, Scott Riis, and many cousins and nieces and nephews. 

The family will have a private gathering with close family to celebrate Shane’s life and spread his ashes at the cabin site.

Shane’s family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words. Shane will be missed by many but his legacy will live on for generations. 

Service Schedule

Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.

Share

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.