Milton Lyman Amsden, age 98, of Broadus.

**Milton Lyman Amsden: A Legacy of Service to Country, Community, and Family**

Milton Lyman Amsden of Broadus succumbed to Alzheimers on June 28, 2024 at the age of 98, surrounded by his wife and children.

His life was a testament to a legacy of service, encompassing dedication to his country, commitment to his community and love for his family. His path was shaped by the values instilled by his grandparents Mary (Herron) and Henry L. Rayner, who served the Kingsley, MT community north of Broadus from 1916-1924. Mary, as postmistress, and H. L., as Justice of the Peace, played vital roles in integrating immigrants, teaching them English and swearing them in as American citizens. This spirit of inclusion and service influenced Lyman throughout his life.

Lyman’s impact was amplified through his partner in love, life and projects, Anne (Earley) Amsden. Until his final days, Lyman would never part from Anne without a goodbye kiss; their tenderness with each other exemplified the essence of true love and commitment. With a shared ancestry of Powder River County homesteaders, Lyman and Anne’s life after their first-career retirements led them to meaningful pursuits in their later decades. Their love and aptitude for gardening brought them to caring for the Broadus cemetery, their excellence a source of great pride. As proprietors of the CornerStore convenience store after its purchase by son John Amsden in 2004, they built the space into a center for coffee, charity and community. It was this purposeful living that buoyed Lyman through his last decades.

The compassion of many were integral to his living in his own home in his last years – all but his final weeks. Grandson Jerry Lei and daughter Julie Riley, as well as countless neighbors and friends, gave of their time and heart to help Lyman navigate his life. At 97, he was shoveling snow from the sidewalk he laid 60 years prior, stoking the fire with logs carried in from outside and walking about the neighborhood – once even “stealing” Anne from Powder River Manor, somehow getting her into her wheelchair and bringing her home.

Lyman was born to Kate (Rayner) and Ralph E. Amsden on May 29, 1926, and grew up on the family homestead in Kingsley with his six siblings: Art, Rachel, Harrold, Ralph, Guy and Bill (two other siblings died young: Arthur G. and Gordon). Lyman was happy to brag that he was able to skip second grade because he was smarter than all the kids in the class—there were no other kids in the class and he was advanced as a necessity. After his father’s illness the family relocated to Broadus, where Lyman and his siblings completed high school. Following graduation, he worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and as an apprentice aircraft worker in Helena.

In 1945, with his older siblings already serving in the armed forces, Lyman enlisted in the Navy. He served at the ship repair base on Manicani Island in the Philippines and on the USS Barataria AVP 33, a seaplane tender in Oakland, CA. After his discharge, Lyman returned to Broadus, working as a swamper at the Montana Bar and Cafe and dealing blackjack and Poker at the Powder River Club. He measured wheat for the ASCS and worked for John Earley — haying and Lester Earley — fencing.
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He rejoined the Navy in 1951 and served on the USS Chawanoc ATF 1— a sea going tug out of Adak., AK. He then served on the USS Formoe, DE 509, a Destroyer Escort out of San Diego, CA; Newport, RI; and Key West, FL. He attained the rank of Gunners Mate second class as Mount Captain of the five- inch gun, and Leading Petty Officer of the section — Quarterdeck watch. He left the Navy in 1955. Lyman took his service seriously, believing his service was for equality for all individuals in this country.

Upon his second return to Broadus he worked on a pumping station near Hammond, raised wheat, and did night lambing for Don Nash, Roy Irion and Chris Mangen. While working for her brothers, Lyman met Anne Earley. They were married in Hardin, MT on September 26, 1958 and they raised four kids together: Jim, Julie, John and Jackie.

To be raised by Lyman Amsden is best captured by granddaughter Elizabeth Reierson:
The feelings I have for my grandpa can’t be summarized in a single story, and lord knows his gravel voice with the witty, joking side comments was always present in my memories. As a child my grandpa was the one I bragged about: “he’s the mayor” I preened to my fellow kindergarteners. “My grandpa has tattoos, some of naked women,” I giggled to my junior high peers. “My grandpa served in the navy in WWII,” I told my PAD class with pride. There was nothing my grandpa couldn’t do and no one more capable of stringing together curse words to vent his frustration.

He worked for J.B. Stabio and Miles City Electric to build the new high school. He got his Master’s Electrical License in 1964 and bought the electrical business from his brother, Art. Lyman wired many buildings in the area, including the Post Office, Farmers Co-op, Big Sky Bar, Hyatt Chevrolet, Homestead Inn, Powder River Manor, Powder River County Courthouse, Fair Barn, Community Center, CarQuest, Ashland Post Office, Mac’s Museum, Biddle Hall, Fire Hall, D & P Auto, ASCS Offices, Assembly of God Church, Bowling Alley, Henry A. Malley Memorial Library and various homes. His work left a lasting impact in the community. Lyman was pleased to pass his electrical business to his nephew Luke Earley in 1999.

Family was central to Lyman’s life. After his brother Ralph passed away in 1974, Lyman returned to farming to help his sister-in-law Virginia, nieces, and nephews by planting spring wheat and summer fallowing. In gratitude, Virginia gifted him a turquoise watch band, which he treasured and wore for the rest of his life.

Lyman served as the mayor of Broadus for 17 years and as a member of the school board for eight years. A lifelong card enthusiast, Lyman excelled in Bridge, Pan, Cribbage and Hearts, always playing to win. He welcomed all to his table, provided they could handle losing and Lyman’s good-natured ribbing. His love for cards extended to hosting games at his shop and later at the CornerStore, where he became a beloved community fixture. He established a Navy memorabilia wall, admired by many traveling through town. Known for his quick wit and storytelling, Lyman was also a passionate political debater, advocating for the rights of the disadvantaged.

Lyman and Anne’s commitment to their country, family, and community was evident in all they did. They instilled in their children and grandchildren the importance of community involvement, a joy of reading and a love of cards. One of their greatest pleasures was attending their grandchildren’s sports and other activities, cheering and encouraging them.

Lyman is preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings, all his cousins, his sisters-and-brothers-in-law, and his stepson Jim House. He is survived by his wife Anne, children Julie (John) Riley of Volborg, John (Marianne) Amsden of Bozeman, Jackie (Dave) Slovak of Missoula and Jim’s widow Toni House of Belgrade; grandchildren Brandon (Shay), Peter House, Jerry Lei, Elizabeth (Philip) Reierson, Kathryn (Kyle) Copelan, James Riley, Solomon, Lucy, Jack, Jett Amsden and Emily Weber; great-grandchildren Cheyenne, Cash, Rowdy, Sophia House, Cole Counts and Madelyn, Lyman, Rylan Reierson; great-great-granddaughter Finley Salisbury; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Lyman’s life was a rich tapestry of service, love and dedication, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him.

A celebration of life is scheduled for 11. a.m. Monday, July 29, 2024 at the Congregational Church in Broadus, MT. All are encouraged to come with stories and memories of Lyman to share. For those willing, stories will be recorded for the launch of a new project: an oral history of Powder River County.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Powder River Community Endowment Fund, the Powder River Congregational Church, or the American Red Cross. Lyman was a founding member of the School Community Development Council and the Powder River Community Endowment Fund; his mother Kate and her sister Mae Watters were devoted to the Congregational Church; Lyman’s grandmother Mary Herron Rayner was the chairperson of the Powder River County Red Cross chapter. Your support of these organizations honors Lyman’s legacy. Thank you.

Service Schedule

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

Monday July 29, 2024

Powder River Congregational Church

309 Wilson Street

Broadus, Montana 59317

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