Richard “Dick” Faye Waldo, age 84, of Miles City passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2012 at the Cottonwood Care Home in Miles City, Montana.
Dick was born on March 27, 1928 (or, as he always teased, was it March 28, 1927?) in Sidney, Montana, the son of Fred and Clara (Struckman) Waldo. He grew up on a farm outside of Sidney, attended Anderson Elementary, and then Sidney High School. He married Marjorie Mae Gibbs on November 22, 1947 in Sidney.
Following their marriage, they moved numerous times as Dick worked on area construction projects and as an electrical lineman until 1956 when they moved permanently to the farm on Hatchet Creek. There they farmed, raised cattle, and operated Waldo Gardens for many years selling produce and cut French Fries at farmers’ markets or to local grocery stores and restaurants. In the mid-1960s Dick and Marjorie brought nephew Paul Zahorodny to live with them, and in all ways he became their son. Dick worked for the National Farmers Organization (NFO) in the 1960’s and as a bulk fuel delivery man for Farmers Union Oil Company in Terry, Montana in the 1970’s. Dick and Marjorie moved into Cottonwood Care Center in 2012.
Richard was a member of the Lutheran Church and the Farmers Union Bowling League. He liked to catch a few catfish, enjoyed hunting in his younger years, and thoroughly enjoyed a game of pitch (Fallon style of course) and pinochle. He had a true farmer’s eternal optimism, always looking forward to spring with the hope that the next crop would be better than last, but with an Eastern Montana fatalism that expected any good crop to be wiped out by hail, grasshoppers, or both – which it frequently was. Dick never met a road or trail he didn’t want to explore just to see what was over the hill and around the corner.
Richard is survived by his wife Marjorie, three children: Richard D. Waldo and his wife Jean of Grand Forks, ND; Sandra R. Viall of Missoula, MT and J. Scott Waldo and his wife Jackie of Bigfork, MT; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, one brother, Theodore Bill Waldo of Lexington, KY, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers: Wayne Hiram Waldo of Fallon, MT; Patrick Leland Waldo of Miles City, MT; Arthur Harry Waldo of Sidney, MT, nephew/son Paul Zahorodny, Billings, MT, and one grandson, Keenen Viall of Missoula, MT.
In lieu of memorials the family ask that people do an act of kindness.
A Celebration Of Life for Dick Waldo will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Fallon Fire Hall in Fallon, MT. You are invited to visit and reminisce with Dick’s family and friends at 10:00 on March 30, 2012 at the Fallon Fire Hall, Fallon, Montana. At 11:00 we will have a presentation of Dick’s life, a couple of songs he particularly liked, and an opportunity for anyone to share a memory or anecdote about Dick. Coffee and donuts will be served. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Fallon Fire Hall
Fallon, Montana
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday March 30, 2013
Fallon Fire Hall
Fallon, Montana
Share
Rita Hanley says
Mr Waldo is planting Heaven’s garden! We will never forget the many years that he traveled to Baker with his produce. If you were late, you missed out on the best his garden had to offer, what a nice man. God Bless his memory.
Wayne and Therese Thompson says
To the family of Dick Waldo; We are so sorry for the loss of Dick. We remember the wonderful fresh vegetables he would share with us in Baker MT. Everyone looked forward to the day Dick was coming to town. Our thoughts and prayers to his family.
Cella Liles Meek says
Majorie and family,
I don’t know where to start. I had so many wonderful times spent at your house. Dick and Sandy introduced this dryland farm girl to irrigating. I am sure Dick is still laughing at the trick of sucking on the tube, only no one told me not to breathe and pull the tube away when the water came. What a mouth full of muddy water. Of course we did get into a few troubles and would be religated to Sandy’s room for punishment. And in the later years we enjoyed the garden produce. When we went to pick and Dick was in the garden he would tell us to leave the money in the mailbox. He was a very trusting soul. He truely was a blessed man may he resi in peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Norita Fried says
Was always glad to see that white van pull into Plevna with all of his wonderful vegtables from his garden. He always made sure you got a little extra for your money. Was sad when he had to quit . May he rest in peace
Bob Lindvig says
Marjie, Dick, Sandy and Scott:
53 years as neighbors leaves way to many memories to express but lots to smile about. Dick was one that would never not be around!! I’m sure he’s enjoying a garden that is unimagineable and he’s already digging in to help. May you and your families be blessed with his great memories and be strong in his loss. God bless you and old ” Dickels ”
Bob and Vicki
Shannon & Bryan Holmen says
What a kind gental soul, and I will miss him. I still laugh at the time I made him pop his artifical eye out just so I could see it, and he gladly did! My prayers.
Aria Scott says
Grandpa, Thank you for letting me ride in the back of your green pickup to feed the cows, to go fishing, and to the garden. Thank you for teaching me to fish, start an irrigation pipe, to drive your truck, and how to tell what was ripe and what wasn’t in your amazing garden. Thank you for taking me to the river, farmer’s market, Fallon, and to deliver veggies all over the place. Thank you for being my Grandpa on The Farm. May you rest in peace. I love and miss you. Aria
Mark & Donna Underberg says
Dick it was a joy to know you and be your neighbor for 21 years. We will miss you always.
Now You and TJ can hunt, fish and maybe have a snort together. Mark & Donna
Lorraine Fehrs says
So sorry to hear of dick’s passing. Hope you are doing alright, also your kids. Always remember Elvie and Mary 50th and the fun we had. take care
Jerry & Arlene Morast says
So sorry to hear of Dick’s passing away. In the 27 years that we have been neighbors, we have many wonderful memories. Dick was a wonderful person, very kind and caring. We are going to miss him, but we will never forget him. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Marjorie and your family.
Shirley Lambeth says
To Marjorie, Dickie, Sandy and Scott – We (Bill & I) are so sorry to hear that Dick has died. We have many good memories of you all. Always will remember the chicken pluckin’, digging potatoes, the dancing fun we had, branding festivities, and the honey processing in your little shed. What friends you were back in those years and wish we could have reestablished that friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Shirley Lambeth says
To Marjorie, Dickie, Sandy and Scott – We (Bill & I) are so sorry to hear Dick has died. We have many good memories of you all. Always will remember the chicken pluckin’, digging potatoes, the dancing fun we had, branding festivities, and the honey processing in your little shed. What friends you were back in those years and wish we could have reestablished that friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Take care and God Bless.
Bunny Miller says
I always enjoyed Dick as we were fellow venders at Miles City Farmers Market. We always exchanged produce for cookies. He will be missed by all of us. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you, may God bless.
Tim Ramsey says
Lowell, I am sorry to hear about your father, and remember great times we had running around town together and working on cars with your father. Enjoyed his stories and always hoped one day I would make it back and tell him about my time in the Marine Corps and the places I had been too as well. Once again my father and I send our condolences to you and your family.
J Johnson says
Dear Family and Friends of Richard Waldo – Please be comforted by Bible promises at this difficult time. Continue to dwell on the happy memories and fine qualities that you remember about Mr. Waldo. Death and suffering was not part of God’s purpose for mankind. Everything that God created was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Death came to mankind due to Adam’s sin (Genesis 2:17). Because of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, hope of everlasting life is restored and death will be done away with (Revelation 21:4). Keeping faith in these Bible promises and looking forward to the joy of again seeing Mr. Waldo perfect conditions hopefully will ease the pain of loss. Meanwhile we have the opportunity to follow Jesus’ instruction to continue to take in Bible knowledge that leads to everlasting life (John 17:3).
Sherm Weimer says
Dick sold potatoes to our Eastern Montana Industries’ group homes for many years. I always enjoyed visiting with him when he stopped in. He will be missed.
Vernon & Janice Kaul says
Vernie worked with Dick at The Farmers Union in Terry for many years. He was a great guy. He will be missed. Our thoughts & prayers are with the family at this time.