Richard Lynn Danklefsen, age 73, of Miles City, MT passed away at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT on February 20, 2019.
Lynn was born on December 31, 1945 in Billings, MT the son of Ray Danklefsen and Jean (Egge) Fretland. Jean then went on to marry Clint Fretland. Clint was the apple of Lynn’s eye. He spent a lot of his childhood on the family homestead near Lavina. When Lynn was a young boy the family moved to Miles City and that’s where he attended school and graduated from Custer County District High School in 1965. After high school Lynn attended Eastern Montana College in Billings where he earned his Bachelor of Science in education in 1970. Following college, he began working for the railroad for a short period of time. On September 5, 1975 he married Vicky Hough in Miles City, MT. To this union they had four children, Reid, Raylynn, Raynee and Randy. Lynn soon started a new job with the Pine Hills Correctional Facility as a corrections officer. After 32 years Lynn retired in 2011.
During his retirement years Lynn loved to travel, make trips to Reno on occasion and he also loved to go to Billings almost every weekend to go dancing. Lynn loved anything that had to do with cars, horses and guns. In 2015 he finally bought his dream car which is his 1957 Nomad. One of his favorite pastimes was to go to the Tavern with his friends to have a drink. Most of all he loved spending time with his family especially his grandkids.
Lynn is survived by his four children, Randy (Cortney) Danklefsen of Miles City, Raylynn Danklefsen of Miles City, Reid Danklefsen of Miles City and Raynee Danklefsen of Billings, MT; one brother, Jeff Fretland of Texas; two sisters, Elin Ahmadpour of Miles City and Medora Burgess of Sidney, MT; seven grandchildren, Kaylynn Danklefsen, Joey Richard, Presley Gevrin, Chloe Pluhar, Kyler Danklefsen, Macklan Danklefsen and Kylan Danklefsen; and special friends Rod Brannum and Mike and Linda Corbett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Jean Fretland and Vicky Danklefsen.
Visitation will be held on February 28, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City. A funeral service will be held on March 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home. Condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com.
Michele Mickolio says
Prayers and peace for his family. Take care of each other.
Sherry Oster says
Dear Reed, Raylynn, Raynee and Randy;
Thinking of you all with compassion and love. I am very sorry for your loss! Hugs and prayers.
Sherry
Elin Ahmadpour says
Reid, Raylynn, Raynee, and Randy:
We’re so sorry about Lynn’s passing. You have our deepest condolences. You’re in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Elin, Naser, and Parsa
Kathy Strub says
Lynn you were always good to Casey and me. Our sympathies to the whole family. May your memories bring you smiles and Gods comfort bring you peace.
Terri Harrsch says
Dearest Reed, Missy, Raynee and Randy,
Sending you my love and prayers and know that I’m thinking of you. May God bless you and surround you with peace and love. Hugs to you all.❤
Terri Harrsch says
Dearest Reed, Missy, Raynee and Randy,
Sending you my love and prayers and know that I’m thinking of you. May God bless you and surround you with peace and love. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you all.
Carla Jerrel says
My Deepest Sympathy to Reid, Raney, Missy And Randy, I know this is a difficult time for you all, I was glad I got to see your dad last year and some of you… You will be in My Prayers.
Love Carla and Family
Jeffrey A. Fretland says
Dear Reid, Raylynn, Randy, and Raney,
I just discovered that your Dad passed away recently. I read the obituary in the Miles City Star newspaper. Oh, Dear God! I’m in absolute shock! Were you attempting to reach me by cellular mobile phone? It isn’t functioning satisfactorily due to the fact I need to purchase a brand new SIM card. I’m not able to receive incoming calls and contacts. Your father (and my brother) used to take me on several trips to Grandpa and Grandma Egge’s ranch near Lavina, Montana, when I was a child. We’d occasionally ride horseback there. I’m extremely sorry for your loss. You are all in my constant thoughts and prayers. I will continue to pray for the repose of your Dad’s soul. Mat God’s Peace continue to touch you through this extremely difficult time. Lots of love and many hugs.
Love Uncle Jeff (Scooter), El Paso, Texas
Raynee Danklefsen says
Dad thank you for saving my life from cancer twice. You were dedicated and destined to get me cured and I am. I will never forget how you did love me and kept me on the right track. God this is so hard I cared for you until you passed away I felt privileged and at peace I did all I could do to help you get better. Tears come to my eyes for you were our last parent. Now it feels very lost without both of you. My heart hurts your gone but within time it will heal. Well this will heal but not for any time soon. I’m on my knees crying just trying to accept your really gone. I love you dad . Rest in peace dear father the pain is gone now. Goodbye we will reunite someday I pray. Tell mom I love her to also. Well be okay us kids we have each other now.
Raynee Danklefsen says
I can’t believe his pain and anxiety of going through so many surgeries and toughing it out. My heart is broken he was our last parent he is with mom now. My tears will stay for awhile it seemed yesterday we went to Denvet to treat my cancer and how dedicated l am thankful for. Dad there is no more pain and surgeries please tell mom and miss her to. Now us kids sticking together no matter what. Goodbye dad you left more than hand print behind but how to be strong through everything that’s why I am a fighter you taught me how.
Rick says
Lynn you’ll forever be missed by so many. Wish we could have had one more mug at the Tavern. See you on the other side buddy.
Karen Morris says
Deepest sympathy to Lynn’s family. Long ago and far away, when I was small and they lived next to us on Cale, Lynn taught me how to do the twist (much to everyone’s amusement since we did it in front of the picture window). He had such a kind heart to take time out for the little kid next door. Kindness is never forgotten. RIP Lynn. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Irene walters says
I am sorry for you loss. I have to smile when I remember our visits to Randy and Cortney’s house. Lynn would always hang out and visit, but when Randy and Cortney were out of earshot he would always tell us how things were going and how proud he was of both of you! The story was always told in a conspiratorial manner, like he was letting us in on the secret of how great he thought you were! 😊
Cathy EggeTuhy says
Prayer and hugs to all of you
Charles Egge says
So sorry for your loss, had planned on coming to the services but weather didn’t cooperate. Our thoughts will be with you. Memories of summers spent with Lynn on the family ranch are some of my favorites and the times spent visiting with him about his cars and seeing him in Billings getting ready for the parades and times he would come to Lavina just to visit.
Kay Carlson says
To all of Lynn’s family,
Lynn was such a kind man. He had an awesome sense of humor. I will never forget him.
Vicki says
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. My thoughts and sympathy are with you. Prayers for your family.