On May 26, 2022, Frank passed away at McCone County Nursing Home in Circle, Montana. Frank was 93 years old.
Frank was born in McCone County on November 14, 1928. He was the sixth child, and the fourth son, of Helene and August Wittkopp.
Frank grew up on the family ranch, herding sheep from a very young age, and making many great friends while doing so. He served his country in the Armed Forces from 1953 through 1955, ending up in Fort Lewis, Washington where he met Janet Nelson. They were married on September 2, 1955 then moved back to Montana to begin building their ranch SE of Circle, MT. In 1957 their first child, Kristi, was born, followed in 1961 by their son, Curt.
Back at the ranch, Frank and Janet starting raising and training race horses, primarily racing in Miles City, MT. As their kids got older, Frank shifted from raising race horses to raising rodeo horses for his kids. Frank also loved a good Appaloosa horse, and spent time raising them as well.
Frank always enjoyed rodeoing. Throughout his life he raised and rode good horses. He was involved in high school rodeo with both Kristi and Curt, and was on the board of directors for the Montana High School Rodeo Association. He was extremely flattered to be honored by the Brockway Commercial Club at the Dairy Days rodeo in 2020.
As he grew older and grandkids were added to the picture, Frank and Janet enjoyed attending a variety of sporting events, concerts, and rodeos. They never missed a happening for the Circle Wildcats while the grandkids were in school.
Frank always looked forward to combining wheat in the fall, the annual bull sale, running the swather during haying, and branding season where he would get to see all of his friends in the spring!
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, and all of his brothers and sisters: August (Auggie) Wittkopp, Agnes (Aggie) Ueland, Joseph Wittkopp, Mandelaine Wittkopp, and Carl Wittkopp.
Frank is survived by his wife, Janet, daughter Kristi Hayes, son Curt (Sue) Wittkopp, grandchildren Erik (Susan) Hayes, Chris (Sarah) Hayes, Michelle (Donnie) Carroll, and Allison (Duston) Stephens, and 7 great-grandchildren.
No services are planned at this time. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Leroy Kirkegard says
RIP Frank. Had a positive impact on my life many years ago. Condolences to the family.
Louise Twitchell says
Sorry to hear that Frank has left us .He will be missed by many.
Jere Sullivan says
RIP Frink
In 52 I was with Frank when we rolled his new Hudson on the way back to Circle from Brockway. He got a broken neck out of that.
In fact I was showing a friend the pictures last week and still have them on my desk.
We had lots of good times back in the late 40’s and early 50;s
Jere and Alexina Sullivan Spokane
Bill and Claire McLouth says
Had many good memories from Curcle and the Wittkopp family. Rest In Peace, Frank.
Markus Hillebrand says
Hallo, mein herzliches Beileid aus Deutschland. Ich denke Franks Mutter Helene, war die Schwester meines Opas Anton Hillebrand. Helene und ihr Bruder Willhelm sind 1906 aus Messinghausen in die USA eingewandert. August Wittkopp 1910 aus Madfeld. Ein Brief von Helene habe ich von Neujahr 1947 an meinen Opa. Das war denke ich der letzte Kontakt.
Ich wünsche der Familie viel Kraft.
Hello, my heartfelt condolences from Germany. I think Frank’s mother Helene was the sister of my grandfather Anton Hillebrand. Helene and her brother Willhelm immigrated from Messinghausen to the USA in 1906. August Wittkopp 1910 from Madfeld. I have a letter from Helene from New Year’s Day 1947 to my grandfather. I think that was the last contact.
I wish the family much strength