John Lee Derenburger passed away on the evening of November 22nd, 2023, on what would have been his 70th wedding anniversary. John was 91 years old.
John Derenburger was born November 9th, 1932, in a dugout cabin that is now under Fort Peck Lake. As a small child his family managed to be one of the poorest families in area surrounded by poverty during the great depression.
He went to school in Jordan, MT where he graduated in the top ten in his class of nine. In his younger years he worked a variety of jobs including ranching and construction. One of his ranching jobs was at the famed Binion Ranch near Jordan where he befriended Binny Binion as well as Bill Hale who was recently portrayed by Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s movie “Killers of the Flower Moon”. John would say, “Old Binny Binion wasn’t much of a cowboy, but he really liked to dress the part”.
John married Beverly Gall on November 22, 1953. Shortly after they were married, he was drafted into the army. He was stationed in Nevada where part of his service included being a guinea pig for nuclear bomb tests. They would take his unit down to a nuclear bomb test site to wander around to see how much radiation they would absorb. Participants were told they would be sterile for five years afterwards, but John defied the odds and Lonna was born August of 1956. His other daughter, Julie, was born two years later. Very few things made him happier than listening to his two daughters laugh with each other.
He later joined the Miles City Police department. He worked for the police department for “21 years and a day”, working his way up to Assistant Chief of Police. While on the police force, he developed a reputation for being reasonable and just. Jerry Kaiser tearfully said “I was one of John’s best customers. He had a way of writing you up so you felt good about it ‘well Jerry I think the judge might get you for assault so let’s write you up for disturbing the peace’. That would be great, thanks John!”. John also had a reputation for starting his day at the 600 Cafe with a cup of coffee and caramel roll, a reputation he rightfully earned. Many of his fellow police officers went from coworkers to forming a brotherhood that lasted a lifetime.
John’s favorite job, and the one that he excelled at most, was retirement. He kept a rigorous schedule of morning coffee downtown, projects around the house, napping, dancing, and playing cards.
Outside of his family, nothing made him happier than playing cards. He loved almost every card game, whether it was 13, cribbage, or pitch. But his true loves were pinochle and poker. You have not seen happiness unless you saw John’s face light up after he “shot the moon” or hauled in a big pot after a poker hand. Once in the early nineties while in Billings, after a day of shopping, Bev came to the casino and waited for him to finish up his last hand before they headed back to Miles City. A stranger came up to her and asked “how does it feel to be married to the best poker player in Montana?”.
He also loved to dance and be around friends. John and Bev spent decades going south to Arizona where they would spend the winter dancing, playing cards, and keeping up with all gossip around the motorhome park. Summers were often spent alternating days between card games and dances at the senior center or the Range Riders.
He was an animal lover and adored his pets, most recently his cat Miss Priss and then his cat Wannabe. Wannabe started as the neighbor’s cat and John named him Wannabe because “he wants-to-be my cat”. He treasured being around friends and family. John loved life and was always up for anything.
John Derenburger was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Beverly Derenburger; His parents Roy and Alta Derenburger; His siblings Marion Derenburger; Roy “Junior” Derenburger; Ronald Derenburger, and Marie Daisy Gowan; his mother-in-law Mabel Gall and his father-in-law Emil Gall.
John Derenburger is survived by his daughters Lonna Derenburger (Randy Roberts) of Thompson Falls,MT; Julie Renville (Roger) of Helena, MT; his is two grandsons David Oberembt (Emory) of Little Rock, AR; Michael Renville (Aurelia Tate) of Helena, MT; His great granddaughter Elliott Oberembt of Little Rock, AR; numerous nieces and nephews; his special friend JoAnn Daeley of Miles City, MT.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday November 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the family lot in the Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday November 28, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday November 29, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following Funeral Service
Wednesday November 29, 2023
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday November 28, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday November 29, 2023
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment
Following Funeral Service
Wednesday November 29, 2023
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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MARTHA J CRANDALL says
My sympathy
Rebecca Lynam says
Love and hugs to family. I’m gonna miss seeing your dad at the cafe.
Burch and Linda Palmer says
Sad to hear. Another friend gone. Burch and Linda
Ed and Melva says
Our prayers and condolences to John’s family 🙏R.I.P Boss! It was a pleasure working alongside you for many years.
Karen Morris says
Thanks for being such a wonderful neighbor, John! It won’t be the same without you and you will be missed! My condolences to your family and friends. May they find comfort in good memories. God bless.
Stabler Hazel says
Julie, Lona and David. I am so sorry for your loss. May God’s grace cover you and give you peace at this time.
Dorthy M Ley says
Family of John, my friend I will miss your smile & your hugs when I come to your door. You always greeted me with come on in here Girl, & the time you & I were playing pinochle with Ila & her partner in Yuma, there was no way we could beat them without a double Run & lo & hehold if we didn’t get a double run & won the game. So many fun memories playing waltz’s for you & Ila. RIPMy friend. Say hi to Jerry.
Karen Taylor says
Julie, Lona and families; so sorry that your dad has passed. I pray you will be comforted with happy memories, take care
Ed and Melva Curnan says
Our prayers and condolences to John’s family 🙏R.I.P Boss! It was a pleasure working alongside you for many years.
Jan Munroe says
David, my very special student, I know your grandparents loved you so dearly, as you loved them! My condolences.
Peggy Dorothy Smotherman says
My prayers and condolences to all John’s family! May God comfort you all with his peace and grace during this time. He sure was a nice guy!
Gracie Ann waples hill says
Dear Lonna and Julie. Prayers and blessings. A really great man.
Nancy Haynes says
Lonna & Julie,
You girls were certainly loyal to your Dad to the end. He was lucky to have your love & support. May your families be a comfort to one another….
Chris & Nancy Haynes
I****d M*******a L******r says
My deepest condolensces to Lonna and John’s friends and family! 🌹
Paula Nelson says
Lonna and Julie, You made your Dad’s last years comfortable, happy, and full of love. He treasured you with all his heart. May you find comfort in each other and in his many, many friends.
Paula
Donna Curry says
Dear Lonna and Julie, You filled your Dad’s life with the richest treasure, yourselves, with the care and comfort you gave him so freely, so filled with genuine love. Blessings upon his soul. Blessings upon you, his most special daughters. May comfort be yours.
Donna
Richard and LInda Meidinger says
Sorry to hear the loss of your Dad. Knew your dad from the years he worked security at the VA when I was
there. Got to know him pretty well. Then we began going south in the winters too and would go and visit Johan and Bev in thier park. Always fun to talk too. Your all in our thoughts and paryers. May he rest in peace. Your fun memories will help you through this difficult time. Linda
Colette Swenson says
Lonna & Julie,
I remember your dad as a loving father and family man. You were fortunate to have him as your dad and he was very blessed to have your love and care in his last years. God bless you both as you grieve and remember him!. Much love to you!
Colette
Dan currey says
You were one of the best, you gave me a job which I always appreciated, you suspended me which I had coming. The day you left the police brotherhood we had started to wain. Have a smoth ride old friend and we may get to see each other on the otherside.
Roxie Saylor says
Was sorry to hear of John’s passing.I have some special memories of John,we went to some nice places in Yuma .We would all get together and go sight seeing and to Baird for a Date Shake.John you will be missed.You can now stroll over Heaven with Bev. Great Memories.
Pat an Mike Mahan says
Julie and family we are so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was fun to be around. We had a paper route in his neighborhood a few years ago. Wannabe always came running to greet us so we would visit with John for a few minutes while our young charge, Sylis, petted wannabe. It was always an enjoyable time.
Carolyn Hays says
Lonna and Julie, your folks were special people and so loved by the community. Your dad lived a long and wonderful life to be sure. Cherish your memories and keep him in your hearts, he’ll never be truly gone. Cooky Emerson
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Julie and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. He will always be a Treasure in your hearts and not forgotten. Cherish your memories as they will help get you thru difficult days and time ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
DarleneShawver Shawver says
SENDING condolences and prayers to all of Johns Family I have known John since I was a little girl ,I am the little sister of his long time friend Frank Watson . He will be missed by all who knew him Hang on to the memories I am sure you has lots of good ones . May God Bless all of you
Duane says
Sending thoughts and prayer on the passing of your dad. I have some memories of him from when we were kids in the Highland Park neighborhood. Fortunately I never met him professionally, but it seems like it might have been a good encounter that would have been a positive memory. Take care Julie, God Bless you all.
duane
Jeanette Salazar says
I remember your dad as kind and compassionate. Lonna and Julie, when you reach his age, you will look back at the years you devoted to caring for him as among the most rewarding of your life because you gave immense quality to his life!!
Glenda Bull says
Lonna & Julie,
Sorry to hear about your dad but it sounds like he had a very good life right up until the end. I enjoyed reading his obituary, the two of you did a great job on it. They are such a difficult piece to write.
My husband and I live in Genesee, Idaho and Geri lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota.