Charles was born September 25, 1931 in Broadus, MT; the son of Benjamin and Georgiana (Headley) Patten. Charles grew up on the family homestead in Graham, MT, along with five brothers and five sisters. Charles remained on the homestead while his brothers were in the military. Through hard work and perseverance, he was able to expand the homestead into a full-fledged ranch by purchasing the Nash and Kramlich homesteads as well as the Washington Ranch. Charles and Marla Barnhart were married in 1953. Charles married Maxine Robinson in 1977. He was a leader to bring new energy to Montana as he served on the Tongue River Electric Cooperative board for many years. He was a member of the local Rifle Club, lifetime member of East Fork Roping Club, and a charter member of Cochran Grazing Association.
He was one of the premier drovers for the cattle herd of the Montana Centennial Cattle Drive of 1989. This inspired him to become a founding father of the Powder River Wagon Trains & Cattle Drives. He helped organize Montana Ranch Tours, and participated in every drive that was held in Powder River County until he entered the Powder River Manor.
Charles is survived by his wife Maxine of Broadus; two brothers, Whitney and Irvine; two sons: Ward (Darcia) of Broadus and Clayton (Tana) of Broadus; three daughters: Lawana of Bozeman, Marla Bea (Jerry) of Broadus and Kendra (Dan) of Broadus; step children: LeAnn (Steve) Rhodes of Broadus, John (Connie) Robinson of Broadus, Mike (Dixie) Stark of Darby, Sherlee (Richard) Santorno of Ronan and Dan (Cheryl) Stark of Thompson Falls; 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 2, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church in Broadus. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Henry Malley Memorial Library or the charity of one´s choice. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home have been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
14:00
Tuesday January 3, 2012
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT 59317
Visitation
13:00 to 18:00
Monday January 2, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT 59317
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
14:00
Tuesday January 3, 2012
Powder River Congregational Church
Broadus, MT 59317
Visitation
13:00 to 18:00
Monday January 2, 2012
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT 59317
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Kathy and LeRoy Biesheuvel says
Our sincere sympathy to Charles’ entire family. He was one-of-a-kind, and will be missed. May God comfort you as only He can.
Kathy and LeRoy
William Rhodes & Linda Mapstone says
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of your lose.
Shannon Mather, Trent & Trysta says
You will be missed & remembered fondly. Glad we got to know you.
Lewis and Marla Hoffman says
So sorry to hear about Charles he was one of a kind. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Caryn & Clinton Watters says
Ucna Charles was always one of my favorites when I was just a little “squirt”, as he called me…he even remembered who I was at nursing home as soon as I called him “unca Charles”…will miss him lots. our thoughts and prayers to all of you
Robert and Merryn Corsat, Jacksonville, Florida says
We first encountered Charles having a coffee at the Cashway Cafe, sitting there with only one spur. When we asked about that, we were told, “if you know what you are doing, you only need one!” He was the quintessential cowboy and he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Steve and Tracy Vail says
Our thoughts are with you. Charles will be missed.
Steve and Tracy
Alice says
Patten family,I’m thinking of all of you at this time,there arnt words to say what I feel,all my love and prayers are with you all………Alice
cheryl and Dan Jones says
so sorry for your loss
Jim D Collins says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
Erin Crow says
Maxine, Kendra and the rest of Charles’ loved ones:
I had the pleasure of working with Charles for a year while he stayed at PRM. I wish you all peace and joy in your loving memories of this exceptional and entertaining man. I will never forget him…his sense of humor and the love for you all will be your comfort as you travel through this final chapter. Much love and sympathy.
Bob Thaden says
Charles and I were teammates at the bowling alley, we were friends, and he never missed a funeral that I did. I’ll always have a soft spot for this fascinating, twinkle-in-the-eye rough son of a gun who epitomized the best of the old time cowboys.
Lisa Gaskill says
I am so sorry to hear about Charles. I know this is a hard time for all of you.
Heather Desatoff says
Thank you for all the great memories granddad we will miss you to no limit!!! As you look down watching over us remember how much you were, are loved!
Rachelle Cooper says
My thoughts and prayers go out to maxine, kendra and the rest of the family.sorry for the lose and may his guardian angel be watching over you.
kerry gardner says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Maxine and her family, Charles was quite the man and he will be missed. He will live on with memories that he created for so many. Visiting with him was such a treat, with his dry sense of humor and twinkle in his eye.
Mary Janeth Perdas says
I did not know Charles personally but I heard many stories from my family members that visited out west and my grandmother Janeth Patten Beal. Deepest Sympathy.
Linda Well says
I will never forget the Montana vacation when my mother, Janeth, came home to visit her family. Charles always made those times so special. We loved to come for a new adventure. It has been hard to keep in touch since my mother died. I would love to hear some of the cousins stories of Charles and other family members. My prayers will be with you all as you say goodbye to a great man.
Yvonne(Beal)&Roger Young says
Uncle Charles made the Ohio girls feel special each time we made that long trip. What wonderful times. The family can be so proud of his life. Thinking of all of you.
Thomas Wargel says
Sending my sympathy and best wishes to the Patten Family.
Judy Denson-Keller says
My heart thoughts and prayers go out to the Patten family at this difficult time. I, too went to school when Lawana, Bea, Ward, and Clayton were fellow students. May God Bless all of you at this time and may Charlie rest in peace.
Mechelle Childers says
My sincere sympathies to the Patten family.
It was truly an honor to meet Charles and ride with him. A true cowboy!
Thanks Charles for the wonderful memories!
Debbie Sumner says
My condolences to the Patten family. I knew Charles through several vacations on the Powder River Wagon Train and Cattle Drives. He made those trips memorable. I’ll miss him.
Jan Drake says
I will never forget Charles. I met him the first year I came on Cattle Drive, which was 2001. I always enjoyed hearing his stories, jokes, and wisdom, and his quick and dry sense of humor. I know that he touched more lives than he realized. Rest in Peace, Charles, and the Lord be with you forever. You will be missed by so many. JD
Peter & Regina Stolle says
Our sincere sympathies and best wishes to the Patten Family. It was always an honor to ride many cattle drives with this true Cowboy
Jennifer Hoehne says
I loved my Granddad and he loved my hugs.
Charlie & Shirley Russell says
Never met a more honest neighbor and friend, always there to help out and get the job done.
We have so missed Charles’movements around the country in recent past; however are so thankful that he is in a better place now.
Our sympathies to all of you his family and extended family.
Charlene Mehling says
I represented Fallon County as a drover for the Montana Centinnel Cattle Drive and met Charles there. Had a lot of good visits with him on the trip which I really enjoyed. A neat fellow with a great sense of humor. I wish to give his family my sincere sympathy. Look forward to riding with him again in the “Land that knows no parting”
STANLEY AND BONNIE POWELL says
TO ALL THE FAMILY OF CHARLES PATTEN, WE SEND OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOU ALL. I DID SO ENJOY ALL THE MANY CONVERSATIONS CHARLES AND I HAD IN THE DINING ROOM AT THE NURSING HOME. WE HAD SOME GREAT LAUGHS TOGETHER. I WILL MISS HIS HUMOR.
Paul Brooks says
Dear Patton Family
Your dad ment a lot to me, and I will miss him greatly. The world is a better place because of men like him. Paul Brooks
Johana Brost Wills says
Condolences to the family. I know he will be missed. My dad thought so highly of Charles and I’m just smiling thinking of them in heaven together. Watch out is all I can say!
Bill & Jennifer Gaskins says
So Sorry for your loss, you are in our thoughts and Prayers.T
Tami Roth says
Dear Patten Family, I am saddened to learn of Charles passing and at the same time smiling remembering the fun times on cattle drive. He was our “Curly” and he will be sorely missed. Sincerely, Tami Roth
Cora Watters Bynum says
My deepest sympathy to the Patten family. I remember Charles from when I was a child and visited the Patten home with Lawana.
Mike Browning says
Met Charles on a Powder River Cattle Drive in ’05 and will never forget him. He was just what I thought a cowboy should be. When I fell off my horse Charles told me “it looked like it was raining cowboys”.
kim Meyer-cook says
Will always remember the year you went ice skating with us Uncle Charles, one of my fondest memories of you. Love and prayers for you. you will be missed.