Brian Allen Russiff, 61, passed away unexpectedly on May 8, 2025 at his home on the Russiff Lazy PK Ranch north of Broadus, MT. He was born to Sam and Joan (Poffenberger) Russiff on November 22, 1963 in Miles City, MT. Those first days at the hospital were the only days of Brian’s life lived in town. Sam and Joan brought their new son home to the ranch along the Mizpah Creek and began the new chapter of their life. Six years later, Brian was joined by his only sister SharLa, making the family complete.
Brian attended Cross S School through the 8th grade with numerous cousins and neighboring children prior to moving on to Power River County High School in Broadus. He was a 10-year member of the Cross S 4-H Club raising and showing many market steers along with FFA. Upon graduation in 1982, Brian chose to remain on the ranch with his father, uncles, and cousins and thus began his life as a 3rd generation rancher. Brian gravitated to the animals and hard work of the ranch, making this decision easy and productive for him.
Working beside his father Sam, Brian became a skilled farmer and true stockman. Sam & Brian’s relationship was strong and formidable. It was the basis for the man Brian became. Countless hours were spent in the fields at Kelly’s and the meadows on the Mizpah. Saving calves during a storm or suckling a newborn with a stubborn mother became second nature to Brian. He thrived on the challenges of the day and worked long hours.
Brian never married, but in reality his bride was the ranch on the Mizpah. His doting attention to the needs of the ranch were those of a loving caregiver. Over his years he built a stellar herd of cows. With a stockman’s eye he culled and selected them into a herd that represents the high standards he held for everything in his life. Brian loved to wean calves every Fall that he could develop into first class heifer prospects and top notch feeders. His steer calves were highly sought after by the cattle buyers. During the winter, his late afternoons were often spent quietly walking through a pen of heifers getting to know them and gentling them down into the kind of future mothers expected for his herd.
Brian seldom left the ranch. A trip to the livestock sale at St. Onge, SD or a business day in Miles City were the extent of his travels. The one exception was the wedding of his nephew Andrew. He gladly left the ranch in the hands of helpful neighbors for several days going to Lewistown to welcome Andrew’s wife, Taylor into the family. Brian’s ties with SharLa and her family were strong and deep. Despite living in Lewistown and Bismarck, SharLa, Steve, Andrew & Taylor spent countless hours of family time with Brian at the ranch. Brian was happiest when he had his sister with him at the ranch. Brian was studious about keeping in touch and valued the opinions and help of his family. He willingly included them in all aspects of the ranch and his life. As a loving and caring Brother and Uncle he will be greatly missed.
Brian’s kindness and knowledge extended well beyond his family. He was always willing to help a neighbor in need and often would be seen at local brandings. Many cattle were worked and calves branded and shipped with his help.
His friendship extended to another group as well. Over the generations on the ranch, many families were welcomed there to hunt and recreate. Some of the hunters became close personal friends that were akin to family. They enjoyed the long nights of dinner and cocktails at the blue house together for many years. Often times, trips were made to visit Brian when they didn’t even have licenses. The friendships developed with these special people meant a great deal to Brian.
Brian was a diligent, hardworking, caring man that loved a good conversation. He inherited his parents’ trait of long goodbye’s. A simple “take care” or “travel safe” was an extended goodbye potentially lasting an hour. His passing leaves a huge hole in the heart of his family, friends, and greater Olive community. He will truly be missed.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents Sam and Joan Russiff, and his paternal and maternal grandparents. He is survived by his sister, SharLa (Stephen) Lalum, Nephew Andrew (Taylor) Lalum and numerous cousins.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday May 18, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 19, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Monday May 19, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday May 18, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday May 19, 2025
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Monday May 19, 2025
Custer County Cemetery
Cemetery Rd
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Dale M Copelan says
Goodbye my friend. Gone but not forgotten
Marjorie Burch says
Rest in peace, Brian.
Dave Schott says
Brian seemed like such a gentle soul. I always enjoyed visiting with him when I had the chance.
SharLa and family, I am very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Devon says
This hurts my heart so much. Brian was the best host during hunting season. He will be missed.
Bub and Carlene Gaskill says
Condolences to Brian’s family, gone way to soon my friend.
Lance Clark says
Thoughts and prayers to the Russiff families,
Lance Clark, Olympia
Brent Clark, Volborg
Darlene Clark, Miles City
Gerald & Janet Himelspach says
So sorry to hear this. Our condolences to Sharla and his family. He was a classmate to our oldest son, Mike. Gone way to soon, may your memories sustain you.
Joyce Holmes Raschkow says
So sad to hear about Brain. Prayers for all the family
Ralph Poffenberger says
So sorry to hear of Brian’s passing . Our prayers go out to SharLa and the rest of the Russiff family
Beccy Mader says
I am so very sorry to hear this! Sharla and Russiff Family please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest condolences.
Pam Moths Nisley says
Our hearts go out to his loved ones!
Praying peace and comfort for all of you ❤️!
Garth Sleight says
SharLa, I am so very, very sorry to see the passing of your brother. God bless you and your family with comfort at this difficult time of loss. If he was anything like you, I know he must have been a terrific person.
Phoebe Amsden says
SharLa and Family so sorry to hear of the passing of Brian. Condolences to you and your family. Prayers for all.
Julie Emmons Stoddard says
What a wonderful tribute to Brian and his life. I was very sad to hear this news and extend my condolences to Sharla and family. I remember the old 4-H days of showing steers with Brian. He was very dedicated to his animals. May you rest in peace Brian.
Chris Kiosse Young says
Condolences to the entire Russiff family. May he rest in peace.
Megan Shroyer says
Our hearts are heavy. Sending prayers to SharLa and Brian’s entire family.
Lynn and Judy Strobel says
Sharla, So sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. You and your family are in our prayers.
Tyler and Brandy Escott Family says
Our hearts go out to Brian’s family. An amazing man will be sadly missed.
Sharyn Wallace says
Oh SharLa, I am so sorry. What a shock, I think God must have saw what a wonderful Shepherd he was and welcomed him back to fulfill the best work of all.
We just aren’t ready for them to have to leave. I love you.
Michael Crews says
I didn’t get to know Brian long but the conversations we had were long and had tons of discussion, he was truly a remarkable man and raised some of the very best cattle in the entire United States of America, they are the real deal. Everytime I was at ranch, I always thought the quality of his stock and the way he took care of them was a true testament to the kind of man he was, he worked hard at the little details that made the big picture a true work of art. Very few men cut from the same cloth as Brian.
Clay Kincheloe says
To Brian’s family
We were shocked to hear of his passing.
Clay always enjoyed visiting with him and working for him.
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Clay and Amanda Kincheloe
John and Lana Smith says
We are so sorry to hear of Brian’s passing. Our sincere condolences to all of Brian’s family and friends, may he rest in eternal peace.
Art Hayes says
Sharla. so sorry to hear of your brothers unexpected passing. Thinking of you and your family and of your loss.
Bob Russiff and family says
We are so sorry for your loss. Brian was a great person and will be missed by us and many other people