August “Gus” Magnuson, age 89, of Miles City passed away of natural causes on Sunday, September 29, 2013 in Billings, MT. His passing was peaceful, in the arms of his loving wife of 66 years.
Gus was born the youngest of four children, to August and Anna (Myrstol) Magnuson in Miles City, MT on September 13, 1924. He was always very proud of being a Miles City native!
As a child, he had the opportunity to enjoy a summer camp in the mountains south of Red Lodge, MT. He vowed then and there that he would someday build a cabin where he could go to enjoy the nature and beauty of those mountains. He enjoyed fiddling with radios, chemistry, and photography during his teenage years. He even built his own darkroom in the family’s basement. He attended public school in Miles City where he graduated in May of 1942. He briefly worked in the shipyards in the Seattle, WA, area. He returned to Miles City around his 18th birthday to wait for his call to service in World War II. While in the Army, he was chosen as a “volunteer” for chemical warfare experimentation. He then was sent to the South Pacific where he served tours on Biak Island and New Guinea. His job was patching war aircraft with sheet metal.
He returned home via Japan, was honorably discharged in 1946, and immediately joined his father and brother, Harold, in the sheet metal business. He was a very energetic and busy man who was never happier than when he was working with his tools. During the following years, he worked long hours to support his family, built the L&M Drive-In in Terry, MT, where he installed all of the electricity and speakers; used recycled materials to construct the family cabin in the Red Lodge mountains from the ground up, played poker with his buddies, and belonged to the Elks. He also had a love for aviation and in 1972, he achieved his dream of becoming a pilot. He spent many adventurous years flying small aircraft.
Mostly, Gus spent time with his wife and family. He married Patsy Elbert on February 20, 1947. He and Pat bought their first and only house in 1955 and worked for several years to update it while adding to their family. He loved Pat dearly and together they raised 6 children: Sally, Sandy, Jill, Jane, Bob, and Nancy. What a wonderful example of commitment he and Pat are for their children and grandchildren!
In 1991, Gus and his brother, Harold, sold the family business, Magnuson Tin Shop, to his son Robert (Bob) and enjoyed many summers with Pat at the cabin in the mountains. It was his own little piece of quiet and a dream come true!
Gus and Pat enjoyed living at Highgate Senior Living in Billings for the last 2 ½ years and appreciate the loving care he received from their staff.
He is survived by his ‘sweetheart’, Pat; daughters, Sandy (Keith) Brownfield of Billings and Miles City, Jill (Lynn) Solomon of Billings, Jane (Gary) Robertson of Houston, TX; son, Bob (Joni) Magnuson of Miles City; daughter, Nancy (Kevin) Tennant of Gillette, WY; and son-in-law Ken (Janet) Neumiller of Helena, MT; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved as his own children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings – Betty, Harold, and Walter, and his daughter Sally in 1999.
A memorial service for Gus Magnuson will be held on Friday October 4th at 3:00 P.M. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City, MT. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the life of this wonderful man. Burial will take place at the Eastern Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery following the service with a reception after that at the Parlor. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. We will miss him, but celebrate a life well-lived!
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
3:00 p.m.
Friday October 4, 2013
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday October 4, 2013
Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery
Miles City, MT
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Kim R. Smarsh says
Pat and family, my deepest sympathy to you on Gus’ passing. You will be in my constant thoughts and prayers. Hold your memories close to your heart as you go through this difficult time.
Kay Carlson says
Dear Pat and family,
He will be missed as much as he was loved. And that’s a lot! Thinking of all you.
Kay
Denise Oberlander Harvey says
To all of Gus’ wonderful family,
Thoughts and prayers are with you! What a wonderful legacy is left in all of you! May God Bless you with wonderful cherished memories until you can be together again!
Denise Harvey
bob bergerson says
my dearest pat and family i shall miss that wonderful man always good with a story or 2 will be always greatful for the lil blue truck. im sure gus is flying again on the wings of angels alll my love n prayers to pat n family
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Dear Magnuson Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cherish the good memories and know he is in a better place.
God bless .
Marcy Parks says
Dear Pat and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Gus. My heart goes out to all of you; you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Aaron Mollie Robert and Michael Phipps says
Pat and Family,
May the love of Jesus wrap his arms around you, my earliest memories of both of you were May Day flowers, and at Church. Know that Gus waits for you in Heaven, until you meet again, may time ease the aches in your hearts.
Shannon Holmen says
Jill, just seeing you on Sat. and then this ..I’m so sad for what you are going through. My prayers,……Shannon
Charles, Melanie & Tabor Bayles says
We are sorry for your loss and are praying you will find comfort in your memories.
Robin Hutton says
I have many fond memories as a little girl playing at the Magnuson house and eating all the hot pickles. It is difficult anytime you lose a family member but perhaps now he can have coffee with Mary and Lu while discussing the finer points of the origin Cowgirl basketball.
Laurie Bosch Linn says
Jane and family –
So sorry to read about your dad in the Gazette this morning. He was a very amazing man and I know you all will miss him terribly. I have such fond memories of spending time at the cabin – fretting over “climbing the rope ladder” to get there, sunning on the roof, and fishing in the creek (putting worms on the hook with a pliers!) 🙂 Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers. If you have time when you’re in Billings please give me a call – we’re in the phone book (same number!)
Love and prayers –
Laurie, Ray and Kristen Linn
Tracy and Stacy Bertrand and family says
Our prayers and condolences go out to the Magnuson family. Sorry about your loss.
Pam & Karl Rogge says
Blessings to the entire Magnuson family, please know you have been in our thoughts and prayers at this time. May all the good memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Joan Smith says
Dear Jane and Mrs. Magnuson & family, My deepest sympathy in the passing of Gus. I too have many good memories from high school and all the ballgames and the support our parents all gave us. It was a wonderful time shared with your parents and May God Bless you during this sad time. Joan Damm Smith
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Dear Magnuson Family, Chris and I extend our deepest sympathies to all of you as you go thru this very hard time. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. May God bring you peace and comfort.
Kim Stanton says
Dear Bob, Joni, Marni, and Anna,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father and grandfather. The pictures in the obituary and on this website are wonderful. I’m keeping you all close in thought and prayer as you celebrate the life of a special man who will be missed and missed. With heartfelt sympathy, Kim Stanton
Cathy Hall Emerson says
Dear Magnuson Family, This is such a difficult time for you all. May good memories help you all through this and that you have the hope of meeting one day again. May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Jim & Robin Cusimano says
Dear Bob & Joni
We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of
your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jim & Robin Cusimano
Hazel Stabler says
Dear Pat
I am thinking of you today, knowing god is giving you strength and peace. My prayers are with you.
Gary and Corinne says
I always enjoyed the stories told by the family about Gus. Quite a guy. Our heartfelt condolences to the family for your loss.
Gary and Corinne
Jay & Dorothy Randall says
We were saddened to hear of Gus’s passing. We are happy to have known him. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
J Johnson says
“Dear family of August Magnuson – I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May God give you peace and comfort through his sure Bible promises to end pain, mourning and death (Revelation 21:4). The Bible promises a resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost. Almighty God also promises to fulfill our desires, not just our needs (Psalms 145:16). Cherish all the happy memories of Mr. Magnuson and be comforted by sure Bible promises (John 17:3).
Donna Sweeney says
Dear Pat and family,
My deepest sympathy to you and your whole family. I didn’t realize, Pat, that you were living at Highgate. I shall get in touch with you in the near future so that we can visit.
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
Donna Sweeney
Lynn Hecht Rusch says
Was saddened to hear of Gus’ passing from dad this morning. Some of my best memories growing were when we were all up at the cabin. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lynn Hecht Rusch
Alison Boe Schwarzkopf says
Dear Pat and family, I just learned of Gus’ passing. I am deeply sorry for your loss. You and your family will be added to my prayer list. Blessings to you all.
Alison Boe Schwarzkopf
Jay Johnson says
Dear Pat and family. How sorry I was to read of Gus’ passing. He was a good friend and a real gentleman and I know you were a loving wife and will miss him greatly.