Obituary for Pat R. Cunningham
March 17, 1922 – April 10, 2016
Pat R. Cunningham, age 94, was held in his daughter’s arms as he left this earth to join his wife in heaven April 10, 2016. Pat had been living at the Powder River Manor in Broadus, MT with his wife Edith since February of 2012, losing the love of his life June 27, 2015.
Pat was born as the first child to Joe and Isabel Cunningham at Piniele, MT March 17, 1922. By the age of 12, he began to make fall trail drives herding cattle from the Powderville area to Belle Fourche, South Dakota to market. He did his share even taking on night watch. Reminiscing of incidents on these drives was very interesting. April 12, 1946 Pat was inducted into the Army in Fort Douglas, Utah. He served in Hawaii and Denver before being Honorably Discharged in January of 1947 at which time he was in California.
Pat began “courting” Edith Roadifer while she was teaching at the Crow Creek School. They were married June 14, 1943 in Sundance, WY and then made their home on Pocoseechee Creek where they ranched together and raised their three children. He made sure they always had a good horse to ride buying them with their own money made from sheep and cattle and wages earned while working as a family on the ranch. “Fun” consisted of going to Boyes, Hammond or Powderville for country dances, 500 card parties with neighbors, playing pool with the Williams Brothers or going to Manley Moore’s Friday nights to watch TV Fight Night.
In 1979 Pat had a bout with cancer and decided to move to Broadus to go into the antique and refinishing business. Together he and Edith purchased the Mabel Zuehlsdorff property and began a whole new chapter in his book. Within a couple years they had the “old house” chock full of antiques, second hand, tools and farm repair items. Attending auctions surrounding the area for his stock he was very well known in the business. Local farmers and ranchers said Pat always saved them from having to make a trip to “town”. Pat would spend hours in his shop sorting and pricing boxes of items he would purchase for a $1 a box or “all to go” for $1. He would always give a little crooked smile when asked “and what did you have to pay for this”.
Pat is survived by his oldest son Dale (Sharon) Cunningham, Ken (JoAnn) Cunningham and Sylvia (Darold) Zimmer; six grandchildren, Cody (Marcy) Cunningham, Casey (Jessie) Cunningham, T.J. (Heather) Cunningham, Kitty (Joe) Schmid, Adam (Lee) Zimmer and Cass (Amanda) Zimmer; great grandchildren, Cashlee, Cricket, Delani, Bailey, Garrett, Ashley, Cole, Jennie, McKinzie, Jax, Saydee, Cooper and Madelyn; siblings Grace Nesbit and Alice Woolston. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Darlene and wife Edith.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Broadus. Memorials can be made to the Powder River Manor. Should friends desire condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 18, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Monday April 18, 2016
Stevenson & Son's Funeral Home
101 East Wilson
Broadus, MT 59317
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Steve & LeAnn Rhodes says
The treasure of having shared time with Pat will always be memories of times well spent. A very good business manager at Yesterday’s Things and very good customer while we we’re in business. My personal gift was the times we shared while he cared for Edith and how he enjoyed his family, each and every one of them. May God be with each of you in your time of sorrow.
Pat Smith says
Sylvia and family, so sorry to hear about your dad but know that he has joined Edith and now they are both watching over all of you. Your folks were some of the best of the best kind of people. May your many fond memories help you through this difficult time in your lives.
God Bless.
Karen Gunther says
Sylvia and family I want you to do you are in my prayers, what a wonderful man Pat was, know he is out of pain and with your Mom now.
wajyne & Anita Wetherelt says
Sylvia & all the families:
I can’t even remember how long I’ve known Pat & Edith, maybe in early 40’s,,?
So very sorry to learn of his passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
They bailed me out many times at Yesterday’s things, when I was in need of something, even a door for the Playhouse we built for grandkids! Wonderful people. May they both rest in each others arms now.
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
So very sorry for the loss of your dad and grandpa. He was a good man and a pleasure to know. Our prayers are with you and your family>
Jane Thompson says
Sylvia,
I learned a lot about the antique business spending time with all of you..so enjoyed my time working with you and your Mom and many happy hours digging through Pat’s great stuff.
Your parents were wonderful people and we will all miss them. They made many friends in the business. I have people come into the shop often who ask about them. May your families receive comfort in your memories.
Vanna Byrd says
Sylvia and Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Pat. I can remember many early, early mornings we would stop by to ask permission to hunt on the ranch. Also, all those mail trips that I made with Grandpa Lancaster, Dad and Mom will always be fond memories as I would look forward to getting to visit with everyone on the mail route. What a joy your parents have always been! Then, to get to know them all over again when they moved into Crane Acres was just one more blessing. Take care. Many thoughts and hugs to you all.
Vanna Lancaster Byrd and families
Becky Etten says
Sylvia and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. So enjoyed coming to Broadus and going with my sister, Jane to your father’s business! May all your memories give you comfort.
Maureen says
Dear Ken, JoAnn, and family,
Our sympathy to you. May he find happy trails, tall pastures, and sweet waters.
With love – Ron and Maureen
Pam & Dave Nisley says
It is hard to imagine our earth without both Edith and now Pat. We so enjoyed them both through their business, and spent a lot of time through the years finding many treasures they brought back from auctions! And for Dave, many needed items he sought out for a ranch repair – How blessed we are that we have been touched by their lives! We pray each of you find comfort in the wonderful memories, and that the Peace of Christ holds you all now and in the months to come.
Aspen (Schoenbeck) Beall says
Sorry to hear this sad news. I loved working for the at the store. Truly great people Pat and Edith. Sending hugs to all the family
Dan and Sheri Gali says
I will always treasure the time I spent getting to know your folks at Buffaloland Antiques. They were both great people ! So sorry for your loss but it makes my heart happy to know Pat is now with Edith in Heaven !! Hugs to you Sylvia ~ you were a great daughter to them !! Hugs to the whole family ! RIP Pat.
John and Lana Smith says
The community will never be the same; Pat and Edith were such wonderful people. We send up prayers for all of their family.
Lisa Gaskill says
Sylvia and family, I am so sorry to hear the news of your dad. I know how much you will miss him. I always loved seeing your parents and their obvious total devotion to one another at the manor.
Linda & Don Nybakken says
Sorry for the loss of your Dad & Granddad. Our condolences to you…
Tom & Ann Emmons says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May your memories help you through this sorrowful time.
Ella Voise says
One of my most memorable memories of Uncle Pat was him sitting on a chair in his yellow slicker, cowboy had and an umbrella over him in a cold, drizzly rain at my auction in Roundup. He sat there the whole day without one word of complaint. Loved that man and have many fond memories of him.
Ellen Wright says
Sylvia,
So very sorry for the loss of your father. I went with my sister Jane or (Mom) almost every time I was visiting in Broadus. I have an old tin oil can and a tin scoop from your fathers business. They have a special spot in my yard.
Bill and Ranae Lancaster says
Ken, Sylvia and families,
Ranae and I are saddened to hear of Pat’s passing. Your folks refinished and reassembled an antique rocker for us in about 1984, and it was an extremely challenging project. They did a wonderful job, as they did in all things in their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jess Bandy says
The picture of Pat reminds me of the time Manly sent me and another lambing hand to
help Pat brand. That was the spring 1957. I think we helped them dock lambs then too.
Maybe a different day.
Sorry to see so many of my old friends going to their Rest.
Jess
Bill and Brenda Allison says
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Boyd & Esther Ruud says
Our sincere sympathy to each of Pat’s family.