Jane Susan Kile
Farmer & Conservationist, 55

Jane Susan Kile of Dixon, Montana, formerly of Hurleyville, New York, lost her long and valiant battle against ovarian cancer on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at home on the farm she loved.
Jane was born to Joseph and Mary Kile on November 19, 1954, in Liberty, NY.
After graduating from high school, she moved to Colorado and then to Montana, pursuing her belief that we could live in harmony with nature and with what the earth had to give us. For more than 30 years, she worked to uphold her convictions with the same determination that she fought her most recent battle.
She was first employed with the U.S. Forest Service, becoming one of the first female firefighter squad leaders in the early 1980s. Jane also worked in other areas, such as sheepherder, natural resource specialist, and community project director. She was a pioneer in Montana’s organic farming and community-supported agriculture movements who also believed conserving wildlands, supporting sustainable forestry, farming and ranching and creating stable, self-sufficient rural communities were all important parts of the solution. Jane was a respected conservationist. She became one of western Montana’s most well-known organic farmers. Working with a non-profit organization, Montana Land Reliance, as a land steward, she promoted organic farming, conservation of the land, and fought for easement legislation to protect working forests and the ecosystem. Jane traveled the state of Montana and was especially dedicated to resolving the complex land management issues of her adopted home’s mountains, rivers and plains.
Jane is survived by her soulmate and loving husband, Steve Dagger, at home; her mother, Mary Kile of Polson, Mont.; her sister, Kathy Adkins of Burlington, NC; five nieces and nephews, Chris Surrette, Jennifer Surrette Dunlop, Joshua Adkins, David Adkins and Michelle Adkins, all of Burlington, NC, seven grand-nieces and nephews, also of NC; cousins: Les Witherel, Roger, Bruce, and Stephen Dainack, all of Hurleyville, NY; Janet Witherel of Smithfield, NC; Linda Turner of Central Islip, NY; Marlene Serio of Southington, CT; Gene Walter of Divine Corners, NY; and Richard Walter of Pine Mountain, CA. Also numerous special friends, who were her extended family.
Jane was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Kile, and cousin Debra Brozik.
Jane was cremated and a memorial service to celebrate her life was held at the Dixon school gymnasium Saturday, Feb. 6.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jane’s name to finding a cure for cancer or to the non-profit of one’s choice.