Frank S. LaBree
Frank Sibley LaBree, 94, of Forsyth, MT, passed away 02/22/22. He was born the second child to Charlotte (Lottie) Mulkey and Frank N. LaBree on December 6, 1927, in Ismay, MT. They brought him home with a wagon team using hot rocks to keep him warm for the long trip. He joined his sister, Rosalie, with sisters, Marlie and Janice, to follow. Thus began his life being surrounded by, as Frank would say, “all these damn women.”
Frank married Jeanne May Strom on September 7, 1952. Jeanne passed away in 2012. Jeanne said the first time she met Frank; he was bucked off (saddle bronc) higher than the crow’s nest at the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale.
They had five daughters and moved many times to work for various ranches. Along with cattle work, Frank built many miles of fence and broke hundreds of horses. In addition, he was a county brand inspector for ten years and state inspector much longer. At the age of 60, Frank and Jeanne bought a ranch of their own north of Ingomar, MT where they spent some of the happiest times of their lives.
Frank always liked helping neighbors near and far, even when he needed to do things at home. One of his strongest passions was handling cattle horseback, which he spent a lifetime doing late into his years. He had a unique ability to make it look easy in all sorts of situations and tried his best to instill this in everybody he rode and worked with. He was the true definition of a cowboy.
Frank was a tough guy all his life. Despite injury and illness, like riding and roping with broken ribs and sprained ankles or chopping ice after shoulder surgery, he always got the job done. His grit, or stubbornness, continued until the minute he passed away.
Frank was a serious card player and was always up for a game of Pinochle, Cribbage, or Whist. However Crazy 8 and Casino with young grandkids was also a must. Although Frank didn’t like to dance as much as Jeanne, he did love good toe-tapping music and to the enjoyment of his girls and grandkids, would shrug his shoulders to the music. Frank loved hearing and telling a good joke and his sense of humor will be remembered by all. His jovial laugh will echo in the ears and hearts of his family and friends forever. As he became lost to himself and us, he still maintained his witty personality and tapped his feet to the music.
Left to cherish the memories are his daughters: Julie (George) Stephens, Lori (Donnie) Finnicum, Lisa (Terry) Patterson, Frankye (Scott) Chandler, and Jodi (Ben) Rounce, grandchildren; Amy, Robyn, Quintan, Sondra, Matt, LaBree, Tyson, Lauren, McQuade, Haylee, and Hannah, and twelve great-grandchildren with one on the way; and his sisters, Marlie Askin and Janice Isaacs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jeanne, sister, Rosalie Askin, and so many dear friends and family.
We rejoice that our parents are together again, whole, and at peace.
A celebration of his life will be held at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Forsyth, MT on April 12th, at 1:00 pm, with a luncheon to follow. Feel free to wear your favorite plaid or striped western shirt and in lieu of flowers, drink a beer (or have a bowl of ice cream!), play a game of cards, and donate to the charity of your choice.
Bob and Darlene Pestreich says
Julie and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a really nice man and will be missed by many. Your love for him was very evident and we know your sorrow is very hard. Cherish your memories.
Sheri Parker says
I’m so sorry to hear about Uncle Frank. I’m thinking about all you girls and Families.
Linda Hamilton says
Julie and family, so sorry for your loss of your Father. Cherish all your wonderful memories. Prayers of comfort for you all. 🙏
Diana Robinette says
Sending my condolences and prayers to you Julie and your family. Cherish all your great memories together.
Shirley Denny says
Julie and family. My sincere condolences in the loss of your dad. My prayers are with you all. Keep your memories close. 🙏🙏
Becky & Ed Gergen says
Sorry to hear about your father. I didn’t know him but he must have been a great guy. Keep those memories close.
Kay Crosby Dooley says
LaBree Girls- So very sorry to hear about Frank. He was a Cowboys Cowboy a legend. His love for each of you was so apparent, you made him proud. Cherish your memories and know he is finely at peace. With heartfelt sympathy – Kay
Dee Batey says
So sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. He was a good man. Had a great visit with him about 25 years ago. RIP Frank.
Donald John and Alice Cameron says
Sad to hear this. What a treasure Frank was! We have a million and 1 wonderful memories of lots of years.
Darlene Morrison says
Julie, sorry to hear about your Dad. It is hard to loose your Dad. My heart goes out to all of you and your families.
Susan Stabelfeldt says
Julie,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are will all his girls.
Susan Stabelfeldt says
Julie,
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to all Frank’s Girls
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Marcus Belgarde says
sorry for your loss to the family and sorry for the loss of your dad Julie.
Andy and Donna Mitzkus says
Sorry to hear of Frank passing. We have many good memories from when they lived on the creek. I.e. games of cowboy polo on the old Dyba place. RIP FRANK
Rita FitzGerald says
To all Frank’s “women” and families,
Such a great guy! It is hard to believe someone that “bigger than life” is gone from this roundup into the next. Frank made life more interesting and worth living. He could make the smallest comments into an”ah-ha” moment!
I was carrying tomatoes from the back room in the Big Sky Cafe and he thought he needed to comment about what big “tomatoes” I had. When eating the bunny pancakes I made him, he always started with the tail. And then the time he had Quintan afraid of Mert because Frank told him that Mert was the reason Merle Ballard only had one arm!
Thank you all for sharing him with us!
claudia gross says
Frank and Jeanne were our neighbors on the Rosebud Creek. He mostly had girls on his crew. His daughters were good help when very young. Barb Pettus Mickell, Lucille Dunning Small and myself were some of his riding help. He Whad cattle on the North Side and when we’d help with that, we would leave the Creek at 1:30 A.M. to go over and ride. We.d sleep on the floor in their living room. Frank had a horse he got from Ed Vaughn that ended up being named Avon that he broke to ride and then used as a bareback bronc in the rodeos. After they would buck him out, Frank would go out in the arena and jump on him bareback and ride him around. We had a lot of fun roping and playing cowboy polo. I did play cards with them a few times, but I never got the hang of Whist. R.I.P
Lana Hoff says
To the LaBree girls we are sending our sincere condolences to you and families. We went to the Stock yards in Phoenix for dinner and Reg bought him a hat pin with his brand on it. Frank was a one of a kind! We had lots of laughs!
Lana Hoff says
Jamie, Lora, Kori& Kaycee
Bonnie Dickinson says
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. He must’ve been quite the cowboy and definitely out numbered in that household. Beautiful memorial written in his honor. Well done
Destiny Metz says
Julie and Family, sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers. Please let us know if we can help in any way.
Art and Destiny
Karson and Marie Kluver says
LaBree Girls, Frank was as you know quite a man, good father, and in my case an excellent brand inspector. Glad to have known him. Karson and Marie Kluver
Anita W Kurtz says
To all of Frank’s daughters-especially Frankye and Jodi, I am sorry Katie and I did not make it to the funeral today. The weather kept us home. Our hearts and prayers have been with you. Katie has good memories of your Dad and Mom. I have a few. His obituary was well written and he sounded like a great husband, Dad and friend. You girls are a tribute to him. He was proud of you all. We hope you find peace knowing he is with your Mom now. Love and Prayers, Anita and Katie
Jesse and Anna LaBree says
We had planned to come to the services, but the weather changed our plans. We were sure looking forward to getting to see you all. You have our sympathy. Jesse and Anna LaBree
Debra K Bingen says
Donnie – Lori & Family – I’m sorry for the loss of your dad – It doesn’t matter what their age is or health status is it’s awful to have to say goodbye – When a person becomes a memory the memories become cherished may get you through with some great laughs.