Walter Vincent Quinlan, passed from this earthly life April 14, 2018 at the age of 79.
Walter was born December 23, 1938 at Thurlow to John Vincent & Eva (Yakavich) Quinlan. He attended school at Cartersville and Rosebud, completing Jr. High. Walter served in the Army Reserve from the fall of 1957 until February 28, 1965 when he was honorably discharged. He worked at Western Cattle Company at Sheffield, which later became the Hook Ranch. He was the farming, irrigation and shop foreman. He was a good mechanic, fix-it man and jack of all trades. Walter married his first love, Shirley Lee Holerud-Wells on July 31, 1958. They had 3 children: Warren Vincent, Peggy Lee and Jeffrey Allen. Shirley passed away in April 1978. Walter met his second love, Marsha Virag in 1979. They spent many years together traveling, working and enjoying one another’s company. Marsha said, “With Walter, life was always an adventure.” He was fondly known as “Uncle Woody” by his nieces and nephews.
Walter was an avid agate hunter. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, and attending a good auction. Walt liked to plant a big garden and for several years he sold his excess produce at the Farmer’s Market. He always planted pumpkins for his grandchildren to pick from each fall. On the ranch he and his brother Jim would plant a huge potato patch. Each fall around homecoming time, they would plow up the potatoes and the ranch kids would collect and bag them for storage in the root cellar. They also sold some to Airport Inn as well as firewood that Walt had chopped. He taught his sons to hunt and taught his children the art of asparagus hunting and how to fish with a homemade willow pole. He was a thrifty man and knew how to make an extra dollar in a variety of ways. Each year he would take the kids out in the hills for a wild ride and they would go chop down the perfect cedar Christmas tree … except for one year when the kids had the mumps and he got them too. That year, mom bought a tree in town.
Walter was a good hard worker. He was a strong man and could throw hay bales, start irrigation pipe, pull an engine, shovel loads of gravel, chop and stack firewood, reel in a paddlefish, cut cedar trees into fence posts, pick up railroad ties and toss logs like no other. He even survived being bitten by a rattle snake at one time. He could also eat more chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, fudgesicles and strawberry ice cream then most! Walt also had a fondness for furry friends, Momma kitty, Whitey and Brownie.
Walter later worked logging and cutting lumber at his own saw-mill. He also tried mining gold with his brother Jim and Vern Steinert and panning gold with his buddy Jim Ady. His last endeavors included scrapping – scrap iron & other metals which he did on his own and with Danny Wilson. He enjoyed tinkering on his tractor and doing his own mechanical work on all his vehicles.
Walter had been residing at the Holy Rosary Residential Living Facility in Miles City since June of 2017. He developed a deep fondness for many of the staff working there providing him care and friendship.
Walter is survived by his lifelong companion, Marsha Virag; his children: Warren (Irene Clarke) Quinlan of Biddle, Peggy (Brian) Certain of Miles City, Jeff Quinlan of Carlsbad, New Mexico; his Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Samantha (Andy) Nickelson (daughter Keeley) of Gillette, WY; Orrin Vincent Quinlan of Casper, WY; Crystal Henry (daughter Laila) of Savannah, GA; Michelle Walker (daughters Kierra and Tyla) of Falcon, CO; Laura Meckle (daughter Bailee) of Mandan, ND; Staci Marie (Shaun) Boyce, (children Adalynn and Ethan) of Billings, MT; Benjamin James (Kristi) Certain, (daughter Ella) of Miles City, MT; Shana Leigh (Terrell) Thomason (daughter Quinlan Viola) of Idaho Falls, ID; step-great grandchildren: Breanna & Luke Nickelson; sister, Vickie Benner of Snowflake, Arizona; sister-in-law Evelyn Yonkaitis of Colorado; many cousins, nieces and nephews and the entire extended Virag family and special family friend, Marian Leverton of Miles City. Walter was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, his brothers and sisters: James “Jim” Quinlan, Eddie Yonkaitis, Tommy Quinlan, Angie Boschee Staley, Julie Hall, John Yonkaitis, dear family friend, Leonard Hartze, and nephew, Tony Yonkaitis; Brothers & Sisters in law: Ed Boschee, Marjorie Yonkaitis, Irene Quinlan, Lester Benner, Loires “Larry” Wells and Jane Capser.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Custer County Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, c/o 1125 Broadwater Ave., Billings, MT 59182.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday April 20, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, , Montana
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday April 19, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday April 20, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Friday April 20, 2018
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main
Miles City, , Montana
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday April 19, 2018
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday April 20, 2018
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Audrey Haumschild says
So sorry to hear about Walter. RIP Hugs and prayers are with you all.
Tulsa Herzog says
So sorry to hear about the passing of Walter. Prayers for you and the family.
Jeff Virag says
Walter was very smart and witty: He helped me fix my pickup and many other things: He Was the repairman. He once told me I needed new moccasins on my truck so I got new tires. Till we meet again! Jeff
Vanessa Monson says
Will miss uncle Walt! Always had something funny or smart to say. Ring of red and a loaf of bread is all ya need! Love you
George and Julie Raymond says
He was such a kind hearted man. Hold your memories close to your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Shannon Virag says
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the times I spent with Uncle Walter. From picking up firewood to spending the last days of summer watching the demolition derby with him and Aunt Marsha and listening to everything he knew about cars. He was s great man and a great uncle. He will be dearly missed.
Arlene Corbin says
My deepest sympathies
Bill & Madonna Ryan says
He was a good friend and a good man, we will miss him, thoughts and prayers to the family.
Mike and Linda Wyse says
Thoughts and prayers to you all,remember the good times, Its hard to loss a loved one.
CarleneRoot says
To the families of Walter Quinlan and Marsha. Sorry to hear about your loss of a father and best friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Carlene Root.
LInda & Richard Meidinger says
Sorry to hear of your loss of Walter. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
BONNIE ASHLEY CURRAN says
Marsha and family; so sorry for your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tim Meckle says
Sorry for your lost my father Waler Meckle work with Walter on the Hook Ranch and thought the world of Walt. We will keep your family in our prayers
Caroll Carlson says
My condolences to the Quinlan family! A special shout out to Mary Joe Quinlan McDaniel and her family!
Terry Virag says
I knew Walter Quinlan for a very long time. Not only was he a very close and caring person and lifelong companion of my sister Marsha. He was a father..grandfather and great great grandfather but he was really big Kid magnet…everybody liked Grandpa Walt or Uncle Walt. He was a very hard worker..chopping down trees and loading them ..then cutting them and helping out all who needed firewood. Walter was a mechanic..Farmer..Irrigator..even an electrician. Installing light fixtures and ceiling fans with the power on and the Sparks flying. He also enjoyed cutting up cars and selling the scrap salvage ………often times working right up until night time..forgetting to take a break for Supper. Walter would do just about anything to help somebody out. And when they would ask. How much they owed Walter would say…I will catch you next time. One of his favorite words was YAh. Only the way he could say it. Walter will surely be missed by all that knew him as. Father…Brother..Grandpa or Uncle or true blue friend forever..Rest in peace and may God bless everyone that one way or another were touched by knowing Walt. AMEN
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Walt was such a kind and caring man and a wonderful & faithful man to Marsha and all his family and friends. My nephew, Dan Willson worked scrapping with Walt and commented many times about how extra-ordinarily strong he was. He worked circles around most men half his age. My thoughts are with you Marsha & Peggy, as well as the rest of Walt’s extended family.
Patsy & Mike Davis says
Our sincere sympathy to you, Marsha and all of Walt’s family.
Peggy Certain says
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR CARING THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, FOOD, HELP AND FRIENDSHIP.
STEVENSONS DID A WONDERFUL JOB FOR US. MANY THANKS TO RYAN BECKER, PASTOR SCHREIBEIS,
MY COUSIN – DIANE RAINEY (& Lucille Ronning – The Elks), HOLY ROSARY HOSPITAL & EXTENDED CARE – RESIDENTIAL LIVING STAFF & BILLINGS ST VINCENT STAFF. OUR DEAR DAD, FRIEND & LOVE, LIVED A GOOD LIFE. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. MAY HIS REST IN PEACE. God bless & keep him. His loving daughter Peggy