PizRick passed on October 21, 2018 away at the age of 96. He was born in Jo Daviess County, Stockton Illinois. He was born with determination and delivered by a neighbor on a humid hot day. This neighbor held the little boy with the oven door open and he lived 96 yrs. He helped on the family farm and went into the service during World War 2 and after honorably discharged he earned several medals of Honor. When at home he farmed a year with a brother then he decided to come to Montana and see an army buddy. To this day Montana has been his true home. He helped round up wild horses in the Terry Badlands, Ed Thompson for the XIT. He trailed horses from the Uall Creek to Brockway, he rode 16 yrs for K quarter Circle Ranch,4 yrs for the MRL Ranch, one Fall on Berthold Res, gathered steers for ranchers as it was dry at home he roped for McCloud at the reservation. When he got back he worked at the Cap Rock Ranch north of Miles City for 4 years. In the spring of ‘47 Pete VerBeck made saddle #74 bought from Warren McMillan for $150 and he has had it since. He cowboyed In 3 states, ND, SD and Montana. Trailed sheep from Ingomar to Terry, he also gathered horses in the Terry Badlands for Alvin Papst Ranch and Sid Johnson.
In the meantime he met the love of his life Alice and they were married in Miles City. On the way to Miles City he said what kind of weed blossoms do you want? She seems puzzled but said “anything”. So the marriage lasted 69 years. He loved to sing and tell stories and he was an avid fisherman.
He is survived with his wife of 69 yrs and one sister Helen and several nieces and nephews. Special friend Analiza, friends he loved Fred and Deloris and Bob and Marge.
He proceeded in death by 11 brothers and sisters
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Prairie Community Hospital for future nursing training for nursing aides.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Terry. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Prairie County Cemetery. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday October 26, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry , MT
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Saturday October 27, 2018
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry , MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday October 26, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry , MT
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following Services
Saturday October 27, 2018
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry , MT
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Larry and Judy Jens says
Pizzrick was a great guy. He was kind and helpful to everyone, and always had time for a smile and quick chat. He will be long remembered in the Prairie County community! Alice, please know you will be held in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days.
Cheryl Stevenson says
Wonderful, kind, an such a caring man! He was always so kind to Nana an Boppa Undem when they moved to Terry. Prayers to his friends an family!
Andy and Nancy Pehl says
Nancy and I so enjoyed the joy he carried and spread and the way he could remember all those people (and horses) he knew. Very sharp mentally to the end. And Doris Forcella would make sure that he and Alice would get together every day. I would attest that he liked to sing. Our prayers are with Alice and the family.
Tina Colstad says
What special people, Pizrick and Alice.
The sun will shine a bit dimmer today with his loss. He brought a lot of smiles to all who knew him. I always enjoyed his storytelling and of course his love of music and singing. There weren’t many songs that he didn’t know…multiple verses even.
RIP, dear man.
Thinking of you, sweet Alice.
Don Bigwood says
One of the added bonuses of marrying Lynne Keltner was getting to know Pizric and listening to his many fascinating stories. All of us can only hope that we can touch as many lives as he did. Our prayers go out to you, Alice.
Bernadette Miller says
Alice
You have many years of happy memories!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bernadette Miller
Miles City
Jean Trask Brown says
OH ALICE, I AM SO SORRY , SO MANY PEOPLE LOVED HIM AND HE SPREAD SO MUCH JOY. A BRIGHT LIGHT IS STILL SHINING. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED AND MISSED BY US ALL. LOVE FROM ME
Larry Keltner says
Pizrick is 47.69% of the reason I have the vernacular I utilize. I guarantee you mathematics is yet incomplete without my favorite Pizrick number, Forty eleven. I fondly remember always wanting a pair of gloves like Pizrick’s. They had the coolest strap along the back, just along the wrist. The strap had a small red ball on it that could be grasped to really tighten up the cuff for when “The goin’ gets tuff!” Didn’t matter if it was rusty wire, runaway, cold-mouthed horses, snapped windmill chains, splintery shovel handles or smart mouthed kids. Pizrick swore to me that a fancy pair of gloves like his, properly snugged up tight would set a fella in the most correct course to accomplish any good fixin’. I was lucky enough to get to buy Pizrick’s backup saddle (Addie’s saddle) just out of high school; it has lace up stirrup leathers set to his riding leg; I have never changed them. Pizrick is the best double good feller a kid could ever meet. I didn’t miss many of his stories but I sure will miss him. Love to Addie, Larry Keltner
Burt Keltner says
As I write this I see it has been nearly a year since Pizrick’s passing. I am doubly thankful that I had the chance to see him on a daily basis for most of 2018, and get to share re-ride stories every single day. It was especially pleasurable to hear my Dad’s role in a good number of those stories.
They didn’t have to break the mold after Pizrick was made – he was forged, not cast. Everyone who ever met him is a better person as a result.
bjk