Robert “Bob” Allen Carroll, 87, passed away December 17, 2014 of natural causes at the Powder River Manor, Broadus, Montana where he had resided since moving from Eagles Manor in Miles City, in July 2014.
Bob was born June 17, 1927 to George Carroll & Lucille Foote Carroll Frandsen in Los Angeles, California. He was an only child. When Bob was three years old his mother moved them to Montana where she had taken a homestead. In 1938 Lucille met & married Carl “Slim” Frandsen and he truly became a father to Bob. He spent a lot of time in his younger years living with his Grandmother Foote in California. Bob’s heart was always in Montana though so he moved back with his mother. Lucille worked many different jobs making ends meet, consequently Bob never put in two full years at the same school.
Bob was drafted and became a member of the United States Marines during WWII. He served his time stateside in California, working in a military post office in San Francisco. One of his jobs was to sort the mail & personal effects of soldiers killed in duty and then notify their families for the return. Just as Bob’s group was due to be sent into Japan, the war, thankfully, ended.
Bob returned to the Broadus area where he worked as a cowboy. In the spring of 1951 Bob was one of two men chosen to drive 35 head of horses from Broadus to Miles City for a sale. Once at the Miles City yards, Bob helped saddle the wild horses & ride them out the sale doors. This would become the first Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. Bob then took a job where he learned to be a “cat skinner” (dirt work). He then worked for Williams & Sons doing various dirt work for local ranchers. In 1970 he went to work for the City of Broadus as a maintenance person until 1974 when he was hired by the P.R. County Road Dept, retiring in 1989.
The winter of 1959 Bob began courting a lovely widow woman who had two children. He rode ten miles through a raging blizzard to find a ride to Broadus to take his lady to the Sweetheart’s Ball for Valentine’s Day. He was snowed in for a week. The following weekend he proposed. On March 29, 1959 (Easter Sunday) Bob married Ann (Pedersen) (Holton) Moutrey and they became a family with her children, Karen & James (Jim). At the age of 32 years old, Bob became a husband & father, roles he thought he’d never play.
Bob & Ann spent most of their married life in the Broadus area, living in several different homes. They built an eightplex apartment house and maintained several rental houses in the area. They also spent many happy hours out at the family ranch. Bob was a hard-working man and worked tirelessly for his family & community. He was a member of the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department, serving time as the Fire Chief. He was an instrumental member of building the Powder River County Historical Museum, spending countless hours working there. He was a member of a shooting club and shared his knowledge as a Hunter Safety instructor.
Bob enjoyed collecting guns, growing huge gardens with his family, and traveling. He and Ann traveled all over the country and were fortunate to take four cruises in their retired years. Bob also had a deep appreciation for good cooking! It was always very satisfying to feed him a good meal because he was always sure to “kiss the cook” and express his appreciation.
More than anything Bob loved & was proud of his family. He spent countless hours cheering them on & supporting them in their various endeavors. He was a true example to his family of the kind of husband all should aspire to be. In fifty-five years he didn’t miss many days of telling Ann he loved her, and doted on his “Dolly” until the end. He felt so truly fortunate to have found & become a part of her family.
Bob was the last member of his side of the family, preceded in death by his parents and all others. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Kenneth Gunther. He is survived by his wife, Ann Carroll of Broadus; daughter, Karen Gunther of Broadus; son, James Moutrey (Lourdes) of Colorado Springs, CO. Grandchildren, Kevin Gunther (Denise) Henderson, NV; Kent Gunther (Gwen) Miles City, MT; Karla Gunther (Kathy Davis) North Las Vegas, NV; Bobby Moutrey and Johnny Moutrey ,both of Colorado Springs, CO; eight great-grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.
Services for Robert will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Powder River Congregational Church, January 2, 2015. If one wishes to send a memorial, the family asks that they be given to the PR Historical Museum, Broadus MT or the Council on Aging, Miles City. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Broadus is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com
Carmen Knutson says
Karen and Family, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you say good-bye to a wonderful man. He will join Ken and you will have the BEST of angels watching over you.
Carolyn and Lon Johnson says
We are so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing but so thankful that we got to know him these past years. We loved working with him at the museum and enjoyed his sense of humor and stories. What a special person to so many of us! We are the fortunate ones for having known him – and better for it. We are thinking of you all and wish we could be there in person to give you a hug. We love you!
Roberta Morgan Rickman says
Ann, Karen & Jimmy,
My heart goes out to you. I never heard him say much, but his smile always made me feel good. God bless you.
wayne & Anita Wetherelt says
We are saddened by this, & know that you are all in our thoughts & prayers.
Will miss our little visits with him at the Manor.
Carol Schneidt says
Ann, Karen and Jim, Bob was a great guy and I know he will be missed by all of you and the many friends he had wherever he went. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you and may God give you peace with your loss
Cali (Hilliard) Baker says
I have many fond memories of “Grandpa” Bob and his stories. Thank you Karen for sharing him with us, he was a treasure. What more could a person ask for in their life than to have impacted all they encountered in a positive way. May you all be wrapped in love during this time.
Cora Mae Ofstie says
Ann, Karen & all the family,
May you hold on to the years of warm memories. I’m so sorry that you have this grief at Christmas time.
Teresa Geib Bacon says
Karen I am sorry for your loss. Prayers for all the family, Blessings Teresa
Vanna Lancaster Byrd says
Ann, Karen and family,
Please know that all of us will miss Bob, almost as much as you! His wit when he would come to the Cashway for the coffee group kept me in stitches. Sometimes you had to look close to see the twinkle in his eyes when he was telling a story, but he was always entertaining. And he was always a gentleman/gentle man! Vanna
Bonnie Bogner Sprague says
Sending Ann and Karen much love and support of the angels in this time of loss and grief.
Renetta says
My family must have met Bob and Ann soon after moving to southeastern Montana, truly as fine a pair as I have known. He’s left so many warm memories.
Linda Merchant and Bill Canon says
prayer’s to the family at this hard time.Bob waa wonderful,careing man.alway’s had a smile on his face an a twinkle in his eye.he will be missed by many in this small community.
Justin & Charlee Kuhbacher says
Bob was a gentle soul, he will be missed…but not forgotten… Much Love n prayers to the family.
Pam & Dave Nisley says
We care as well, and are praying for all of you at this time and in the coming months! May the peace of Christ hold each of you~ much love sent your way!
Ray and Linda Strasheim says
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. Our family’s friendship goes back many years. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Gordon Decker says
Sorry to read about Bob in the Examiner. One story, while fighting fire in the Otter area, that I will always remember: “If the cliff is less than the length of the Cat track, I can go over it”
Will miss seeing Bob at the Museum.