Clifford F. Boutelle, age 92, of Miles City passed away on August 18, 2014 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City with his loving family at his side.
Cliff was born on January 28, 1922 in Miles City, MT and is the son of Prescott & Mary (Roenbeck) Boutelle. He attended grade school in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High school in 1940. After high school Cliff attended a year of college at the University of Colorado at Boulder until he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp in 1942. Cliff served his country during WWII as a weather observer. Although Cliff was a pilot and loved flying, for medical reasons, he could not fly for the Army Air Corp. He did enjoy flying with his close friend Jack Burke, a TWA pilot, and as a private pilot. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, as well as the World War II Victory Ribbon.
On August 2, 1947 he married Darlene Senter in Miles City, MT. Together they raised four children; Randy, Laurie, Kirby and Shelley. Cliff went to work in the family business at Boutelle’s Auto Dealership and owned and operated the dealership until it was sold it in 1995. Cliff had a great respect for all living things and delighted in his many pets over the years. He enjoyed golf and bridge but especially enjoyed his friends at the 600 Café’/Hole In The Wall coffee club where he could be found daily. Cliff was an avid reader and served on the Miles City Library Foundation Board for several years. He was a past president and member of Rotary, past president and member of the Miles City Club, a member of the Elks, a member of the Miles City Town & Country Club and served on the Council on Aging board.
Cliff is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Darlene; his four children: Randy Boutelle and his wife, Marlene, of Miles City; Laurie Boutelle and his wife, Kathy, of Miles City; Kirby Boutelle and his wife, Janeen, of Denver, CO and Shelley Boutelle of Palo Alto, CA; his sister-in-law Donna (Senter) Yegen and her husband Cardwell Yegen. He is also survived by six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents Prescott & Mamie Boutelle.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2014 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579. Memorials may be made to the Miles City Library Foundation or to the charity of one’s choice. Should friends desire, condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 22, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday August 23, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Saturday August 23, 2014
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday August 22, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday August 23, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Saturday August 23, 2014
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Carolyn Kimball says
Darlene and family,
My condolences for your loss. Share your memories and hold each other close. The strength of family helps in the healing.
Garth Sleight says
Another great pioneer, family man, and business leader leaves a historical void in Miles City. This great city is a better place because of people like Cliff Boutelle. He leaves his legacy in good hands, however, with his family, who will carry on the tradition of service to family and community. Please accept my sincere condolences on your difficult loss.
audrey haumschild and Greg Blind says
Our condolences for the loss a Cliff I got to know him for a short time and what a sweet person he was ,but that is no surprise because his family has some of the most wonderful people ,you are all in my thoughts and prays and may you heal in time and share your memories.
Kelli Rooney Klein says
My first job out of college was assistant bookkeeper at Boutelles auto dealership. Cliff was a wonderful boss and I enjoyed working for him and Mr Boutelle. I saw Cliff at the Hole in the Wall when I was home in May. My condolences and prayers go out to family and friends of this wonderful man.
Kathi Rooney Pfeifle says
Laurie, Kathy, Sheila, Shannon and families.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Cliff was a very nice man and he will be missed by so many. My deepest sympathies to you all.
Ken and Bobbi Korneychuk says
Kirby and family, we are very sorry for your loss. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all and if we can help in any way, all you have to do is let us know.
Carolyn (Cooky) Hays says
So sorry to hear of your loss. Cliff was a special person, always such a gentleman. I loved his quit demeanor (Randy-you’ve inherited that special trait) and his kindness to everyone. He never spoke an unkind word that I know of. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Beverly Harris says
Miles City has lost another little piece of history. Condolences to the Boutelle family
“Lady Beverly”
Kay Carlson says
Dear Shelley and family,
My heart goes out to you. I am keeping you close in my prayers.
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
We are so sorry for you loss. Please know your whole family is in our heart and thoughts during this time. I will always remember the good times my folks had with Cliff and Darlene out at the golf course. Cliff will be deeply missed by so many. He was a true gentle and kind man.
Maureen Larson says
Dear Boutelle Family,
Although I didn’t know your father well, I always thought of him as a kind, gentle man. My heart goes out to all of you and may your memories comfort you during this difficult time. God’s blessings to all of you.
Sandy and Ric Rabe says
Laurie and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with.
Diane Welbes says
Miles City will not be the same–We truly lost a great piece of Miles City history with the loss of Cliff. I can remember my own father telling stories about when the men tried to build the town to its capacity. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jan Munroe says
To Darlene and family, please accept my heartfelt condolences at your loss of Cliff. Mom thought so much of both you and Cliff and you both were so kind to her. There ought to be quite a golf game going on up there about now! I pray that you find comfort in God’s love for you all.
Mary Ann Liles says
Dear Darlene, Laurie, Kathy and family, Our sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband and father. He was a true gentleman. Our prayers are with you all.
Mary Ann & Jim Liles
Sheryl Kransky says
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I am sorry for your loss.
God bless you/ Sheryl Kransky
Donna Johnson Tebeau says
My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. May God wrap his arms around you all and hold you close. Mr. Boutelle was truly the essence of Miles City, kind, friendly with a good heart. Hold your good memories close to your heart. Praying that all of you find the peace to give you strength. Donna
Sandra (Domagala) & Joe Konkright says
On behalf of the Domagala and Konkright families we send our condolences to Darlene and family members. Fond memories of the Boutelle’s are when in high school I was employed as a babysitter for “the kids” when Cliff and Darlene went out for the evening, no doubt dancing to the music of Pop Konk’s Band at the Crossroads or a dinner at the Elks. Purchasing cars at Boutelle’s was an ongoing tradition by both Domagala and Konkright families as far back as we can remember. Later my father Eddie was employed by Cliff selling cars for many years with a very special friendship kindled between them. May these fond memories we cherish of Cliff and your family help you through your loss.
Janet Klein says
My thoughts and prayers to the entire Boutelle family. I may be a bit selfish to say that my heart is breaking right along with yours with the passing of Cliff. It is with pride that I say my father worked for the Boutelle’s in the late 40′ s and in the fall of 1950, Prescott called my dad in North Dakota and asked him to come back to work for him. That either means he really liked my dad or he was in need of a mechanic or both! I have many great memories of going to the garage and helping dad ‘work’! I would be on the creeper and under the cars or trucks he was working on handing dad the tools he needed…OSHA would have loved that! The Boutelle family brought us to Miles City and for that I am proud…thank you!
Cliff was always such a gentle person and seemed to always have a smile on his face. He always greeted me and knew me whenever we met and now, he is another legacy gone from old Milestown, but we can say that our predecessors taught us well with all of their accomplishments. Cliff, you will be missed….
Judith Zignego Hinz says
Dear Darlene, Randy, Laurie, Kirby, Shelley and Families,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in loss of your precious husband and father Cliff…he was a real gentleman…so polite and friendly…a handsome man with a great smile and always called you by your name…Cliff will truly be missed…May your fondest memories, love of your family and friends and your faith help comfort you all during this sad time…God Bless
jill zignego says
sad greetings to darlene, randy, laurie, kirby and my dear friend shelley,
cliff was a wonderful human being. i wasn’t around him much especially in these later years, but he was always so friendly and thoughtful whenever i would come to visit. dad had great things to say about him and i loved that they were friendly competitors. honest, hard working and filled with integrity. what a wonderful legacy to leave behind for all of you.
i am sending angel wings for his smooth transition, and lots of love to all of you.
xxoooo jill zignego
Dale & Cindy Berg says
We are so sorry for your loss. We have lost another great community patriarch. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Anne McLean says
Dear Shelley & Family:
I am sending my sincere condolences to all of you. As many have stated . . . Miles City has lost a wonderful man. Love, Anne
Dean Holmes says
What a neat person we have lost. He had a long time on this earth… and he left if a much better place. To all the family, I share your loss. PS that 68 Lemans is still a great car in my mind. From Mayor 73 to 82. Cliff, thanks for your help.
Buzz Smith says
As a kid (17 years old) I met Cliff when we played in the Elks Band. I always remembered how gracious and kind he was to a few of us high-schoolers who played with the band those years. Miles City has lost one of its best.
Ann Megyas says
Rick and I send our heartfelt condolences to the Boutelle family, especially Mom/Darlene and my dearest friend, Shelley. I fondly remember one trip to Miles City when Cliff took Rick on a memorable ride, in a classic vintage convertible! And I know he was a good dad because of the four kids he and Darlene turned into successful grown-ups. Darlene, I’m saying special prayers of comfort for you during this sad time. I’m so glad you’re surrounded by your family, the community, and love from all over.
Much love to you all,
Ann Megyas and Rick Pantaleoni
john sparr says
Laurie, I am very sorry to hear the news. I met him once in the office and he seemed to be a very kind gentleman…someone to be very proud of. Talk to you soon….John
Patti (Green) Ireland says
To Kathy and the Boutelle family,
My condolences to you all. I pray that the Lord will wrap you in His arms and give you comfort.
Patti Ireland
Stuart Brown says
Condolences from the Bruce and Peg Brown Families. Many memories of Cliff at the Town and Country club, with the guys at coffee, at the dealership, etc. A true gentleman and man of character.
Barb, Jim, Stuart Brown
Bill Schepeler says
Dear Darlene,
Cliff and the “Wild Bunch” in the Hole in the Wall coffee gang are some of my fondest memories of life in Miles City. Our thoughts are with you and the rest of your family.
Bill and Renita Schepeler
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Randy, I just saw this, I am so sorry for your Fathers death, Condolences and Prayers for all, Teresa
Conrad Johnson says
Cliff was the closest thing I had to a good father.
He always treated me with kindness and respect.
I will miss him forever.