Arnaud “Basco” Elissalde was born on May 24, 1929, in Iholdy a small French village in the Basque country, of about 600 people.
His parents were Bernard Elissalde, a Basque farmer, and Gratianne Sallaberry. His mother was the fourth child in a family of 13. Arnaud was the eldest. He had 9 brothers and sisters of which 5 are still alive: Marie Jeanne, born in 1932; Marianne, born in 1936; Francios, born in 1937; Isabelle, born in 1940 and Angele, born in 1943.
He was known in his village as clever, adventurous and open minded. On May 24, 1950, the day of his 21st birthday, he flew to the USA, as did many of the young people at that time. He landed in Miles City, Montana and ended up in Jordan in 1968. Sivert O. Mysse sponsored “Basco” through a sheepherder’s program. When Arnaud got to America, he herded sheep for various people, including Sivert Mysee, Fred Edwards, Pete Minkoff and “Big Mitch” Guesanburu. Basco also lambed for Dale Kreider and Freddy Itchina in the spring, did contract fencing for Fred Hout, became a butcher for Sterling Wille at their grocery store and poured cement with Jack Murnion.
Basco was caretaker of the fire hall in Jordan for many years, where he lived and you would always be offered a glass of wine, or to play casino and cribbage for a nominal fee. Basco was also known to teach the younger generation how to play these games.
He went back to visit in Iholdy for the first time, 28 years later, just four days before his mother passed away, and then went back to visit regularly until the last time in 2013. Soon after the last trip, Basco went to live in the Garfield County Nursing Home in Jordan, until he passed away June 30, 2018. But, Montana was definitely his heart home.
Memorials in Basco’s honor may be made to the Garfield County Fire Hall. Graveside services will be held at the Pioneer Cemetery on July 20, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Shelley Hageman Fogle says
Rest In Peace Porcupine! Fly high my friend~
Frank Edwards says
Basco, always told the story of working for my dad and holding me when I was 90 days old,he seamed very proud of that fact. I am very proud to have called him my friend.
Janean Gerhardt says
It was a pleasure and an honor to cook for him at the nursing home. I will miss his shuffling by the kitchen in the mornings to say hello. Rest In Peace Basco.
Connie Blonigen says
Sorry to hear of Basco’s passing. A true Jordan icon. Always enjoyed his stories at the old firhall and the RBar.
Glenn Crawford says
Rest in peace Basco. Jordan will never be the same again.
Carol Williams says
Basco always shook my hand when we met and we compared notes on the weather judging on whether my hands were cold or warm. I will miss him.
Muff Engdahl says
Rest in peace Basco! You will be missed by all that had the pleasure of meeting you. So many wonderful memories of you through the years. So many great visits while I was bartending to keep me company, and so many great card games I watched you play. I am sure that you and HK are in the midst of a good game as I type this.
Jack & Charlotte Murnion says
Just a couple of Arnaud quotes: “you play like polish sausage”, “you got to pay for your lessons”, Rest In Peace friend.
Mary Alice Murnion says
TO the family of Arnaud Ellisalde, I met Arnaud 62 years ago when i married and came to Jordan. Mt. He was herding for my brother in law Fred Edwards at that time, and it always stuck in my memory that he told me he learned to speak and write English from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. He was a close family friend for all those years, extending hospitality to all of us with a glass of wine at the fire hall that he called home. He will be missed because EVERYONE knew him. May you Rest In Peace!
Arlene Hout says
Anaund taught me Casino at a very young age while we were at camp on a fencing job. Very kind sole. Stopped by the firehouse about 10 years ago and there he was!
He gave my kids a deck of cards and offered up a game.
We should ha e more people like him in the world.
Rest In Peace Arnaud. Glad I got to k now you!
Karen Taylor says
Arnaud was a very nice man that will be missed by so many but as y’all say, he is having fun playing cards with his buddies and visiting family too. Rest in peace friend.
Isabelle Elissalde + husband and son says
Thank you for your nice words , we learned many interesting details about Arnaud. We also knew him as a great card parrtner. He had a tremendous memory of his childhood and youth in the basque country. When he came back to visit us, he was most interested in cattle markets and basque ball games. Zutaz orroituko gira Arnaud.
Elissalde says
Sa famille, ses amis de Iholdy son village natal n’oublient pas Basco
Qu’il reste longtemps dans nos mémoires et dans nos cœurs
Jeanne