Rusty (Russell) William Birkeland, 64, of Miles City, Montana, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025. Born December 19, 1961, in Minnesota to Russell and Carol Birkeland, he was the second of four siblings who grew up turning ordinary days into grand adventures, always laughing the loudest.
Rusty never stopped learning. Over the years he became an expert in wilderness survival, knife-making, leatherwork, and mathematics. In his younger days in Duluth, he could often be found under the hood of a stock car with friends.
He collected careers the way others collect hobbies, each one tackled with fierce pride and a refusal to do anything halfway. He logged timber in Montana, cut meat, worked in slaughterhouses, then took to the water—traveling from the Panama Canal to Alaska as a tugboat crewman, welding underwater and running cranes. Back on land again he welded for the railroad and later made massive mining equipment in Duluth.
Yet of all the places life carried him, Miles City was the one he loved most. In the last five years, after finally putting down roots there, he found a true home among kind and generous people. He gave freely of his time and heart, and he was deeply grateful for the welcome he received at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Third River Fellowship. The family extends special thanks to the staff of the Miles City Library and Holy Rosary Hospital and Cancer Center for their extraordinary patience, kindness, and care.
Rusty will be remembered for his boundless curiosity, his open-handed generosity, and his gift for finding joy—and a good laugh—in even the smallest moments.
He lived with mental health challenges that were part of his journey but never the whole of it. We honor his resilience and remain thankful for everyone who met him with understanding and compassion.
Rusty is loved, missed, and forever in our hearts.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Lynn rae ziebarth says
Rusty you will be missed. Rip you touched so many with those beautiful conversations. Again RIP
Linda says
To Rusty’s families. Prayers that Rusty is at peace in heaven with our Lord.
Karen Taylor says
My dearest sympathy to Rustys family and friends, so much enjoyed visiting with him at the soup kitchen
Morgan says
Rusty was a kind soul. The affectionate way he spoke of his mother touched my heart, and my kids always spoke of him fondly. His unexpected wedding gift to us of a quilt was something Ill never forget.
Rebecca Lynam says
Rusty would come visit me when I worked for Council on Aging. He was a kind soul and will be missed.
Jasmine Kanduch says
Sorry for your loss Birkeland family! Praying you will be comforted my God and be able to rest in his loving arms.
Julie and Butch Krutzfeldt says
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one.
Ashley Wise says
I always enjoyed seeing Rusty at the library. He always had a great story to tell and was very kind. He will be missed.
Jenny says
I just met Rusty for the first time this summer when he came to my writer’s group at the public library. I really enjoyed his stories!! I am sad to hear he passed away, and wish I had more time to get to know him better. My heart goes out to his family and friends, he was such a unique fellow.
McIntyre says
We met Rusty at church, he really loved Jesus.
Janie Wagner says
I only met Rusty once, but, I could tell from the moment I met him that he was a kind soul! Funny too! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. May you find joy in your memories of Rusty. Hope you have found peace Rusty!
Christine R Woodward says
This notice just came up. I knew Rusty for many years and his family. All of them kind and generous. Looks as though he found his place and home. My thoughts to his wonderful family
Joe hanegmon says
Thoughts and prayers to the family he was a great guy we had some good fun in the summers up north he loved my button box music and had lots of conversations about life miss you bud fly high and free on Angel’s wings now