Pat Phalen, age 85, of Ismay, MT passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014 at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City.
Dan Patrick Phalen was born on February 18, 1928 in Ekalaka, MT to Lawrence C. and Rose (Ambrose) Phalen. At the young age of seven Pat and the rest of the family moved to Miles City where Pat grew up and attended school until the 8th grade. When Pat was 13 years old he began working for the Colin Gilman Ranch where he remained until the time of his passing. In April of 1946 Pat joined the United States Navy where he served his country for two years until his honorable discharge in February of 1948. After the Navy Pat returned home to the family ranch and in 1949 he married the love of his life Evelyn Jean Hickman. Together they lived and worked on the ranch side by side while raising six children Larry, Bobby, Danny, Jimmy, Casey and Barbara. Together they raised their family instilling the values of a hard day’s work but also making sure to spend time with his children whether it was playing football, basketball, going swimming in one of the reservoirs or teaching them how to dance. In 1989 Pat was one of two people in Custer County to be selected as a drover for the Montana Centennial Cattle Drive, something he was always very proud to have done.
Pat enjoyed dancing, going to brandings, fishing, traveling with his wife Jean and in his later years golfing. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Pat was a member of the Stock Growers Association; National Cattleman’s Association, a lifetime member of the Hereford Association, a member of Custer and Fallon County Farm Bureau Agency and was a past Director for the Range Rider’s Museum.
Pat was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Jean, his parents; one son, Danny Phalen; one great grandson Joseph Patrick Kiel III. He is survived by his children; Larry (Sally) Phalen of Dickinson, ND, Bob (Connie) Phalen of Lindsay, MT, Jimmy (Lavonne) Phalen of Ismay, MT, Casey (Cindy) Phalen of Miles City, and Barbara (Keith) Hoover of Ismay, MT; sixteen grandchildren and spouses, and nineteen great grandchildren; sister Phyllis (Buford) Griffin Ismay, MT; brother-in-law, Bud Naylor, Wellton, AZ and numerous cousins.
Family will receive friends and have times of sharing February 17, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City. A funeral service will be held February 18, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City. Interment will be held at Custer County Cemetery. 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.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Break Forth Bible Golf Tournament at 2815 W Towne St, Glendive, MT 59330.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday February 17, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday February 18, 2014
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday February 17, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday February 18, 2014
Grace Bible Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Whitney Smith says
Phalen family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Dan personally but if he is like any of the other Phalen’s I have met he must have been a genuine man. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Cynthia Anderson says
I know what I know that He got to heaven and heard well done good and faithful servant! Grandpa Phalen was a true man of God who loved people so freely! He had the best smile in the World. I loved sitting next to him and Grandma in church, they were so much fun, and their love for each other was evident! Praying God’s peace and grace over the entire Phalen family….rejoicing with you that Heaven is his, and that he and grandma are up there enjoying themselves, reunited and in the arms of Jesus! Love you guys!
John & Nikki Brown says
Our sincere sympathies. Pat was a loved part of our family.
We are rejoicing that he is reunited with his sweetheart. But we will miss him.
Dannette Cremer says
To all of Pat’s family – So Sorry to hear about the loss of Pat. He now joins the love of his life in Heaven for Valentine’s Day.
Mary Beth Kibler says
I’m so sorry, I’m just learning of your loss and heaven’s gain. A life partnership now reunited. Your many memories will keep him alive in your hearts.
James L. Arneson says
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, what a kind and soft spoken man. I sure enjoyed all of the visits we ever had, he was a man of honor. May God watch over you all and be with you during this time of loss. Know he is where he longed to be, with your mom watching down on the rest of the family as he always watched over them.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
Phalen Families,
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. To lose both your parents so close together must be very hard. Hold close your memories and I hope you have some comfort that they are now together again. God bless.
connie and glenda redmond says
to quote jimmy anderson is to say also that he is happy now with your mom; and may God watch over all of you now and in the many days ahead; was great being the middle generation till now…………………………………………….our sincere sympathy to each of you
Cathy Donnelly says
So sorry to hear of Pats passing. Hugs to all the families and try to enjoy sitting around chatting about all the great memories and sharing laughter, tears and each other, as you spend time as one big loving family.
As my Dad said once to Mom at Christmas looking around at all of us , “TO THINK THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THIS!!!!”
I am sure that Pat and Jean are looking down saying something similar being as proud of you all as they can be. Take Care.
Sherry Oster says
To the Phalen Family;
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Pat was an icon and will truly be missed. It makes me sad knowing there is one less “ole time cowboy” in our world. The Lord definitely gained another Angel. Love you all. Sherry O
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your familes.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Dan Patrick Phalen – May you find comfort in your loving memories, great pictures and in recalling the many talents of Mr. Phalen. It was not the Creator’s purpose that mankind suffer and die (Romans 5:12). God has promised that a time will come when no one will say “I am sick” (Isaiah 33:24). In the Bible we are promised the resurrection of dear family members and friends that we have lost (John 5:28, 29). I hope you are comforted by Bible promises of a hopeful future (John 17:3).
wanda linnell richlen says
So sorry for your loss Casey and Barbara. Your families are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bradd Licht says
To the Phalen family you are in our thoughts and prayers. Pat left so many lasting memories for myself and everyone that met him. I had a great respect for him. God bless your family
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Dear Phalen Family, What a neat man, he will be missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Shirley Rolf says
Phalen Fam:
Sorry for the loss of Pat, he will surely be missed. But doing things you will hear him say not like that it would be easier this way. I will always remember the fun working with him.
Lisa Bastian says
To the Phalen Family – Your Father was truly an Amazing Gentleman – when I was a little girl he would tell me the most amazing stories & would make me laugh & I always left with a smile – even as an adult he would always leave me with his warm smile. Know of my Thoughts & Prayers for Your Family. We know He is at Peace in Heaven with Jean.
Vickie and Dave Gunderson says
Our sincere condolences to the Phalen families. I have many fond memories of growing up and attending a small country school with the Phalens, and Pat and Jean were a huge part of that. As you all gather to celebrate a wonderful life, take comfort in knowing that your parents are once again enjoying each other’s company, and marveling at the beautiful family they created..)
God Bless..
Kevin and Lori Donnelly says
He was a man of honor. I like this thought of Pat the best. This says it all. It saddens me to see this generation go. The wealth of information I fear will be lost to this new age of computers. Good bye Pat, Jean and Dan thanks for being there for me. They will always be remembered as People of HONOR. May God be with them.
John and Mercy Sullivan says
Wow, the loss is a hard one, Our loss is Heaven’s gain. The Phalen family have always been our closet cousins, we enjoy each and every opportunity to share in Brandings and get togethers with a great family. We send our Love to each and every one and our sincere condolences. We will miss Pat and Jean tremendously.
Tim & Tracy Kiel says
Barb, Casey, Jim, Larry, Bob & families,
So sorry to hear of pats passing. Just know our thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be greatly missed. God Bless!
Della (Thomas) Jarrett says
Even though I had loving parents and family of my own, the Phalen Family have always felt like my family also. I spent my high school summers with Pat and Jean working on the Phalen Ranch. I was never homesick because they treated me like their own. I will miss them both but I know they are together and that’s what counts in my book. Thinking of you all. May God Bless.
Karson and Marie Farnum Kluver says
Phalen Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Pat always met you with a firm handshake and smile.
God Bless You.
Russell Family says
Our prayers are with your family.
Chris and Diana Elwood says
Phalen Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Another cowboy goes on to heaven to ride on God’s heavenly herd.
Tammy Pecha/Mallett Family says
So sorry for your loss.know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chet Holmes says
Phalen Family
So sorry of your lost. He will be missed a lot. My thoughts are with you.
Roberta Willman says
The Trumpet’s gonna blow one of these days & what a day that will be when we shall see Jesus, we’ll sing & shout the victory. So hang in there, it won’t be long the way things are popping.
Mike & Cactus Steelman says
My Phalen family,
Our deepest condolences for the loss of Pat. He was such a wonderful and loving man and always had a smile for you. Our thoughts are with you all.
Jordan Cornelius says
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. I had an opportunity to talk with Dan last summer during Tana’s baby shower and he had a great sense of humor.
James and Jane dighans says
The loss of a father grand parent is difficult, no matter what the age. He lives on in each one of his children. Memories truly become a comfort. Jim and Jane Dighans