Mortier Jacob Barrus, 88, of Hysham, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2024, at his home in Hysham.
Mortier was born on June 1, 1935 in Groveland, Idaho to Noble Hunter Barrus and Hazel Delilah (Larson) Barrus. Mortier received his primary education in Groveland.
In August of 1953, Mortier enlisted in the USArmy. He honorably served as a member of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He received an honorable discharge in 1956.
While on leave in 1954, Mortier met and married Ida Johnson. They had a son, Lloyd, before the marriage was dissolved.
Mortier met Jeannie Lewis in 1956 and they were married in December of that year. They were eventually sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple in May of 1967.
Mortier loved to talk to anyone and everyone. He was born with the proverbial gift of gab. He was loving and accepting of all. He believed in being a hard worker, showing respect and being kind and considerate towards others. He taught us behaviors don’t lie. He was always approachable and easy to talk to. He was honest in his dealings with others. He was not one to spare the rod nor did he lack in bending his knee. He kept his wife in flowers while she was with us and his progeny in his nightly prayers. He had a strong testimony of His Savior and belief in his Church.
Mortier is survived by his children, Marty Barrus of Bismarck, ND, Cheryl Stone of Wapello, ID, Jacqueline (Loa) Sekona of St George, UT, Mark (Sandra) Barrus of Salt Lake City, UT, Deitra (Shane) Thomas, Melinae Barrus, and Matthias (Eva) Barrus of Hysham, MT; sister Joyce (Jerry) Brown of Blackfoot, ID, 42 grandchildren, 60 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.
Mortier was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers; Lamar, Gene and Bud (Donald), his sisters; Vivian, Ruby, Nolene and Sandra, his wife Jeannie, his daughters; Melissa and Anita Faye, 3 grandsons; Bryce, Marshall and Tres, and a granddaughter; Clarissa.
Viewing will be at the Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home, 245 Westwind Ln, Forsyth MT, 59327, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Thursday May 30, 2024 and services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday May 31, 2024 at the same venue. Internment with full Military Honors will follow the Funeral Service at the Forsyth Cemetery, 2470 Front St.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Thursday May 30, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Friday May 31, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Friday May 31, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Thursday May 30, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Funeral Service
2:00 PM
Friday May 31, 2024
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Interment with Full Military Honors
Following the Funeral Service
Friday May 31, 2024
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Serena Peppin says
My grandpa was the best man in my life. When I played sports and I couldn’t find anyone else I would always find him in the crowed supporting me. Grandma and grandpa’s home was always a safe place and second home for me. They took care of us like they were our parents. I will always remember sitting in church with him and listening to him talk about his family and how he always prayed for everyone. He was a kind man and he deserved the best. I always loved listening to his stories of when he was a kid and how he met grandma. I remember watching him turn the heat on the stove down just to hear grandma yell at him and chase him around the house, he always had a huge smile on his face as she chased him around. I remember how grandma would complain bc grandpa went through so many toasters, he loved his toast burnt, to this day when I make toast and eggs the smell always reminds me of waking up and joining grandpa at the breakfast table, praying with him before he ate his breakfast. I always remember how he would get grandma flowers on a weekly basis and I can’t remember a time where he left the table with no flowers, he always brought her flowers or picked them from the garden for her. I remember every Sunday we would always stop at the store and he would get grandma her favorite teas to drink so she never ran out of them.
He was a loving and generous man, he was to kind to some people. His heart was always big and he always wanted to help others. He will forever be missed, and every time I see a diet coke I will think of him and his love for the drink
Barb DeCock says
I’m very sorry to hear of Mort’s passing, he was a wonderful person to work with at the school in Rosebud. May your memories bring you comfort in the years to come.
Llia and family says
So sorry to hear this. So many memories of Mort driving the bus, being at the dances, and just supporting the school and the students. He was always telling a story and ALWAYS had a smile. Even years after I graduated he would call me by name in the store and ask about my kids. He was a truly great man and will be missed greatly
Kay Davis Berdahl says
Mort was a very nice and friendly man. Sorry for your loss.
BERNADETTE MILLER says
My husband Verlin worked at Rosebud High School while Mort worked there. They were good friends and worked well together. Verlin was the Ag and FFA advisor/teacher. Whenever he needed something worked on Mort was right there. I too enjoyed visiting with him at ball games and other activities. He was a good guy.
Joan Leinwand says
Sending my condolences.
Aaron & Brenda Kneeland says
Condolences to the family. We enjoyed getting to know Mort and working with him at Rosebud High School. He was a good man and always quick with a smile and helping hand.
Dan and Lisa Lynch says
OUr Sympathy to the Family of Mort. I worked with Mort at Rosebud while teaching there many years ago. He always had a Hello and a Smile!
Larry & Vicky Fink says
Condolences to Mort’s family. Mort was always up for a visit & a friendly wave. Always good to see him at his grandkids sporting events. Take care.
Dee & Shelly Batey says
Our thoughts are with you during this sad time. I worked with Mort at the Rosebud School. He was kind, courteous and hard working. Prayers for the entire family.
Sela Sekona says
Grandpa was my rock. He showed me how to love and how I wanted to be loved. Grandpa was the epitome of unconditional love and what it was to be a Christian and true example of how to live by the golden rule. He was my first best friend; my first partner in crime. He was the greatest man I have ever had the honor to know and love. Thank you for being all that you are and never giving up on any of us no matter what. I am so blessed to have had him as a grandpa for 35 years. He may no longer be with us physically but he will live forever in our hearts as we carry on his legacy.
GEORGE and JAN SIMMONS says
To the Barrus family and friends my heart goes out to you. Mortier was one of the kindest gentlest men I have ever known. Mortier was a very good Christian man that I will truly miss. When we last visited, he was the same wonderful person I had known for close to 40 years.
To all keep a smile with you because of many wonderful memories you have of him.
Garth Sleight says
One of the great privileges of my career at Miles Community College was to have Mort as a student. I regularly share one of his speech stories with my public speaking classes. It was the story of when he was working at a gas station in Forsyth and was robbed at gunpoint. Long story short, the bandit had unique cowboy boots and Mort was able to identify the culprit. It turns out that it was the nephew of the gas station owner. Mort was a great person. It was an honor to know him. RIP, my friend.
Family Member says
The gas station he was working at during that robbery incident actually happened in Blackfoot, Idaho when he was still very young. Not in his elder years nor during his years in Forsyth, Mt.
Nan Quinlan says
Nan Quinlan
Sending my condolences to Morts family
Such a kind man
Debbie Barrus Knopp says
I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I have fond memories of uncle Mort and aunt Jeannie. May god bless your family.
Harmony Hope says
About 10 years ago I started seeking out relations on the Barrus side of my family, as I live in a remote Alaskan village, travel was hard, but the internet is big. I first contacted a cousin, and then through her Jean reached out, as so began my relationship with who I grew to know as grandma Jean and grandpa Mort. I honestly wasn’t expecting to much when I first began, but I couldn’t have been more blessed by who I met, the wonderful insightful kindness they always had. It’s a deep sorrow to not have had the honor of meeting them in person, but I know they’re now together at home in peace. Above my dear brothers are mentioned which makes my heart swell, I hope Tres gets to meet Mort, he needed more kindness in this world, maybe he’s found it in the next. Rest in peace Grandpa Mort, you are loved.
Diane M Welbes says
Sorry you didn’t get this sooner–I’ve been in hospital–I have to say it was a pleasure working with him at Rosebud. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. And always cherish your fond memories.
Garth Sleight says
Thank you, Family Member, for clarifying the gas station incident. Wow, it happened in Blackfoot, ID! I’m glad it wasn’t in Forsyth. 🙂
Never Enough Time says
Mortier Jacob Barrus was named by his Mother, she picked his name from a New York newspaper.
All of his siblings claimed he was spoiled from birth being the baby boy.
He was a very adventurous young man.
At the age of 8 he caught a pheasant with his hands & was excited to show his Father, he learned from his Father that it wasn’t pheasant season & he could be arrested, (his Uncles were State Game Wardens).His Father told him not to do it again.
He cooked robin eggs on hot rocks & tried to eat them, made fish stew from his day of fishing with friends, with old carrots, not the best stew & a dislike for carrots began.
Helping himself to a handful of what he thought was cherries only to find out they were olives!
He would hide under rafters at church & throw long stemmed weeds at the women in their meetings.
He also stole the gas caps from all of the cars parked at the church & put them in a pile in front of the church. No One was able to leave until they could find their gas cap.
He learned to camouflage himself in the fields behind the haybales & tall grass after terrorizing the neighbors. One neighbor got so close to his hiding spot he could have licked his shoe.
He was playing with friends in a treehouse that they had constructed & somehow he fell out & was unconscious. His friends panicked, covered him in leaves before running home. They thought he was a “goner”. Luckily he woke up & walked home.
Sneaking away to his G’ma’s house on baking day, his G’ma baked the loaves of bread for sacrament on Sunday& cut the crust off of them. She saved them for him, an extra special treat he looked forward to.
He would often walk a certain girl home even though it was way out of his way. His brothers took great delight in teasing him.
His school burned down& he was so distraught he cried because he couldn’t go to school.
He & some friends jumped in a train car & made it to Oregon. They had no money between them so they roamed around spending a few days & cold nights scavenging milk off of porches to ebb the hunger pains. They eventually managed to hitch a ride home.
Mortier joined the army in 1953,in the 504 Division & 82nd Airborne Paratroopers. He was honorably discharged in 1956. He was anxious to come home to help his family out due to his Father’s illness. He sent money home to help his family out because his other brother had also enlisted, leaving no one ato help at home.
He wore many hats throughout his life to help support hi s families
As a youngster he learned to hunt & trap with his Father & brothers.
He worked on local farms, cutting & stacking hay, building silos, to milking & feeding cows.
He was a gas station attendant, drove taxi, sang in a band & played his guitar. He worked in a sheet metal shop, in copper mines, laid gas pipelines, worked in spud cellars, & on the Union Pacific Railroad & dairy farms, as well as a delivery milkman.
He began water well drilling with Doug Cushman, worked on & off with his brother Lamar& O’Keefe drilling until beginning his own company Barrus Drilling in Butte in 1967. When well drilling was slow he would hunt & trap. He was even a boiler maker in RockSprings, Wyoming.
When the well drilling contract with the reservation & the government ended he sold his rigs & went to MCC for 2 yrs.
He was a guard in Colstrip, Mt., a CNA in at Rosebud, Mt. Care Center, was a welder at St. George, Utah Steel, worked at INEL in Idaho, became the maintenance man & a bus driver for Rosebud schools, as well as cleaning the USDA Bldg. in Forsyth, Mt. many times per week.
He also served his church throughout the years in addition to his regular workload in Butte, Mt. He drilled & donated a well for the church that was being built. He also was a 1st counselor in the bishopric in Butte.
He cooked pancakes on Saturdays in Butte since he was working out of town during the week. After moving to Forsyth, Mt., he fixed breakfast every morning, oatmeal, eggs & toast.
He was always running to help whichever child was in need, no questions asked. He loved being a G’pa & blessed each one every night.
He was always approachable & easy to talk to. He loved retelling the stories of his life with whoever would listen.
He opened his heart & home to help raise many of his grandchildren. He loved each & every one of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.
Cheryl says
The Only Way To Take Sorrow
Out Of Death
Is To Take Love
Out Of Life