Frank Maurice O’Neill, age 85, loving, devoted, faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend was called home to our Lord on Wednesday, September 17, 2020, due to a heart attack. Frank spent his last day doing what he loved, working cattle on the family ranch. Frank knew Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior!
Frank was born 27 February, 1935, the oldest son of David Y. and Margaret M. (Hamling) O’Neill in New Underwood, South Dakota. Frank attended country school at the Folsum School on Lower Spring Creek east of Hermosa, SD, then high school at Rapid City, graduating in 1953. He attended college at South Dakota State University graduating in 1957 with a B.S. in Animal Science. As a young man, Frank worked construction and carpentry jobs during the summers in high school and college, in addition to work on his parent’s ranch. Frank excelled as an athlete. He played high school basketball, baseball, track, and cross country. During college, he competed on the SDSU track and rodeo teams.
After college, Frank was an assistant county agent in Pennington County, SD. Then with greetings from the US Army draft– basic training at Fort Carson, CO, and Signal School at Fort Monmouth, NJ – work assignment at Fort Richardson, Alaska with Signal Corps Crypto material. He was honorably discharged April 1960. After the military, Frank spent two years working as a carpenter on the Titan and Minuteman Missile sites in western SD. Then he returned to SDSU for a BS in Range Management. He worked with the Bureau of Land Management as a Range Conservationist for two years in Prineville, Oregon, and two years in Miles City, MT.
Frank married Dianne M. Undem on 2 December, 1967. Frank and Dianne stepped into managing and operating the Undem family ranch after her parents deaths. Over the years, Frank installed and made many fence, corral, stock water, and building improvements at the ranch raising red composite cattle. Being a steward of the family ranch was an important life mission. Frank and Dianne raised three sons – Steven Reed, Patrick David, and Michael Edward.
Frank’s true joy was his sons and grandchildren. Raising their family on the ranch was very important to him. Frank loved teaching his sons about cattle, horses, range management, and carpentry. Frank loved to follow his sons to rodeos and sporting events, missing only a few of his son’s ball games throughout their school years. He continued to follow local kids in their athletic careers. Frank enjoyed helping and teaching his sons and other local 4-H kids about livestock and range management. He appreciated riding a cowy rope horse! Frank enjoyed roping at the Terry Roping Club events when he was a younger man. He always looked forward to helping at the family ranch during his older years!
Frank was a respectful, honest, selfless, frugal man who was humble about his talents. Frank would be the first to take the big circle gathering cattle or willingly take the hard job without saying anything. Frank was a man of few words, but when he spoke it was important or sometimes dry humor. He enjoyed playing whist and board games in the winter with family and friends. In his later years, Frank loved to travel to his grandchildren’s events. Frank loved to travel by car and just “See the country!” He would judge the country by how well it was suited to run cattle on. Frank and Dianne were fortunate to take several sightseeing trips around the country before Dianne passed. Frank treasured time spent with family, especially holidays, and grateful for the fun times spent visiting and trading help with neighbors over the years!
Frank was preceded in death by his parents David and Margaret (Hamling) O’Neill; and his wife of 48 years, Dianne (Undem) O’Neill. He is survived by his son Steven (Connie) grandchildren Kaitlin, Grady; step grandchildren Payton, and Taylor (Skyler) of Groton, SD; step great grandson Samuel; son Patrick of Terry; son Michael (Theresa) grandchildren Kelli, Reid, Grant, and Grace of Great Falls; his brother Larry (Liz) O’Neill of San Antonio, TX; three nieces Kathleen (Lacey), Leslie (Todd), and Meg (Robert); sister in law Donna (Gene) Lehman; nephew Jess, nieces Laurie (Matt) and Nelseena; sister in law Connie (David) Bosman.
Visitation will be held at the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Terry on Thursday, September 24th from 1pm to 6 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Prairie County Fairgrounds in Terry at 11am on Friday, September 25th followed by graveside services accompanied by the local Military Honor Guard at the Prairie County Cemetery. A luncheon will be served at the Prairie County Fairgrounds 4-H Building after graveside services.
In lieu of flowers, any donations may be made to the Prairie County 4-H Council or the Terry Roping Club.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Thursday September 24, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday September 25, 2020
Prairie County Fairgrounds
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Thursday September 24, 2020
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Terry, Montana 59349
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday September 25, 2020
Prairie County Fairgrounds
Terry, Montana 59349
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Larry and Judy Jens says
We are sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. We enjoyed conversation with him whenever we ran into him in Miles City or Terry. His greatest legacy is the raising (along with Diane, for sure) of those three fine young men we all know. Our thoughts and prayers with all of you, boys, daughters-in-law, and grandkids.
Greg and Cindy Ban says
Are prayers are with you, Diane and family. He was a gentle soul. May he rest in peace and may God give you strength during this difficult time.
Andy & Theresa Zook and family says
Steve, Pat, and Mike and family: We are thinking of you all and send lots of hugs and prayers your way.
Burt, Monique, Kael, and Isis Keltner says
Always appreciated visiting with Frank. We seemed to run into each other wherever we traveled the last few years, and always enjoyed catching up with what was happening on each others outfits. I treasure his – and his family’s – presence in our lives. Great fellow who raised great people!
Liz O’Neill says
Sending love to our O’Neill nephews. We loved Frank and we will miss his him & his visits to Texas. He was a fine man. Liz O’Neill
Brian Wallace says
Sorry of your loss your dad will be missed by all
Vicky Fink says
Pat…my deepest sympathy to you & your family. Take care.
Cheryl M Berry says
I am so sorry about the passing of your father, Pat. It was so nice of him to stop by with chokecherries again this year. Enjoyed his little visits and humor.
Clair and Fern Garrick says
The family raised by Dianne and Frank O’Neill, Steve, Mike, and Pat are, in itself, strong evidence of the values and beliefs that surrounded these people. Fern and I would like to wish our condolences to the O’Neill family. May the thoughts and prays bestowed upon them give them peace during these times of great sadness.
Merritt & Lulie Youngdeer says
Lulie and I were privileged to know Frank, Diane, and family! We were made to feel welcome to the family. Frank was an honorable man and I know he is in the presence of his Heavenly Father. Blessings to the family!
Troy and JoDee Hess says
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Frank’s family! May God give you all comfort and peace
Marietta Wieseler says
My heart felt sympathy goes out to all the O’Neill family and other relatives at the loss of Frank. Dianne was a very special cousin to me. Wish I could be with you this weekend but am having some health issues. My prayers will be with all of you. May Gods blessings be on you
Marietta(Smalis)Wieseler.
Andrita Harris says
Deepest sympathy and condolences for the O’Neill Family . Pat so sorry for your loss. Your Dad is with you Mom now. RIP COWBOY
Jack McNamee says
Our condolences Pat. We should all be so blessed to be able to pass like Frank did. Doing what he loved, 85 years old, and no long, drawn out death in a hospital or a nursing home. I’m happy for him but again our condolences to you and yours.
Dick Grosskopf says
Pat
Always refreshing to run into your folks. You can be proud of the operation they lived for
Larry Keltner says
O’Neill Family,
I followed in Mike’s path to work at U. S. Bank when Frank and Dianne had taken to living in Miles City. Frank would occasionally slip in to palaver a bit and offered some stories about his growing up in SD and eventually landing in Miles City. He was a dedicated student of cattle and rangeland and easily offered his take on any question I had about those subjects. RX3 cattle darn sure meant something to Frank.
He offered to me a couple of my greatest treasures: Photocopies of some 1950’s Rapid City Rodeo programs that included my Grandpa Hi Whitlock as a contestant.
I am not sure he ever did like the nickname Steve collected in high school. “Red Dog” was catchy and there was no doubt it suited Steve as he floated down the court, with his red hair, to set up on the 3 pt line to aim in a swisher or slice through the defense on a post route to catch a pass on the run in football. Frank was PROUD in his quiet way.
Sometime during 1st or 2nd grade I was invited by Steve to stay at the ranch over the weekend and Dianne had fixed pancakes for breakfast. There was a lazy Susan with syrup and goodies on it including peanut butter. Steve made a big grab for the PB and smeared it all over each pancake. I had never envisioned such a violent end to a pancakes existence!! I wasn’t against PB per se, but had never put it in with the breakfast condiment family. Took a sly smile from Frank and a nod to convince me I too could enjoy the pure ecstasy of imbibing PB and Pancakes………….Rest well Sir. Happy Trails O’Neill Boys, LK
Ryan and Nicole Jones Family says
Steven, Pat, Mike and families, we are so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man. Frank was truly blessed right down to the day he passed. Our prayers are with you and your families.
Mary Snell says
Pat and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you all. Pat, your Dad was such a kind, soft-spoken man. More than any, he will be missed by you all the most, but know there are many that will miss him and grieve with you. Praying God wraps his arms around you in comfort.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Pat and all the family,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was a very kind and gentle man and I know how close you were to him. May the beautiful memories comfort you in the days and years ahead.
Becky (Hamling) Hopkins says
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of your family and your dad.
Becky (Hamling) Hopkins
Rapid City, SD
Patricia Dobrowski says
The O’Neill Family,
I knew Frank through Dianne. The Undem Ranch was certainly an important part of our growing up (the Joe
Roos family). We extend our thoughts and prayers to your whole family
Peterson Family says
Sympathies for your loss from the Folsom, SD community and the Peterson family.
Janice Outland says
Frank graduated high school with my sister, Carol and I, in 1953 in Rapid City….and our best friend Lena Williams Nelson, who passed away last year from diabetes complications. Carol and her husband are living in Box Elder. Lena and I attended the 50th class reunion in Rapid City and were happy to see Frank after so many years, and to meet Diane. It was obvious that his classmates were fond of him and were anxious to interact with him during the reunion, as were we. Frank’s mother was a beautician and I remember her styling my mother’s hair and my sisters and mine. We also attended First Baptist Church during those years. My condolences to Diane and family.
Wendy Walker says
I was fortunate to spend some time with Frank for a short while. We shared some witty banter, some card games and he shared with me some stories of his life. I am truly grateful for having the opportunity to meet him and his son Pat.
May the Lord grant him rest, and may He grant comfort and peace to those who deeply feel his loss.