Wayne Harry Abney, of Absarokee, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013 at his home.
Wayne was born in Bercale on April 13, 1917, and grew up in the Judith Gap area.
In 1941 Wayne married Frances E. Farr in Sidney. They lived in the Judith Gap area until 1947, when they moved to the Fishtail area where Wayne worked in several jobs, ranches, Mount Mine, Fishtail store, until he started working as an oiler on road construction crews in Montana and Wyoming. After retiring in Ballantine, Wayne became Ballantine's best mechanic until he could no longer hang over fenders for hours on end, so his next adventure was small-engine repair until he couldn't handle or see tiny parts. By then, Wayne and Frances moved back to Absarokee and he found his niche taking care of many lawns and hauling garbage for all the old folks. To help out a friend who owned the car wash, he went to work for him, when Mark Fjare bought the car wash he said only if Wayne comes with it, so until last fall, you could always see Wayne cleaning up or trying to make the soap work.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Frances, of 71 years; and five children, Larry (Marie) Abney, of Bozeman, Judy (Lary) Garrison, of Billings, Janet (Dave) Blood, of Salt Lake City, Bill (Julie) Abney, of Helena, Susan (Martin) Gonsioroski, of Baker; Janet Abney, daughter-in-law; sister Margaret Marsh of Livingston; 31 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Don; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; three brothers; his parents; and many great friends.
One grandson said he never saw grandpa get angry. He taught us so much by just being himself. He was a man who worked hard all his life and was able to work alongside his three sons. How proud he had to have been to be able to do that. The man always seemed to be there when you needed him. The man who seems now to be the most Christlike example I have ever known. Always beside or behind you, leading the way in a manner that is so obvious now, but so subtle, always. How could this diminutive figure carry such a huge load? The patriarch of the family that loved him dearly. The true friend to hundreds. Grandpa was and is my true hero. In my eyes, he's a giant.
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice for all the help you gave us since April.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Absarokee or the charity of your choice.
Wake services 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 5, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Absarokee.
Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday, Sept 6, St. Michael's Catholic Church, interment in Rosebud Cemetery.
Wayne was born in Bercale on April 13, 1917, and grew up in the Judith Gap area.
In 1941 Wayne married Frances E. Farr in Sidney. They lived in the Judith Gap area until 1947, when they moved to the Fishtail area where Wayne worked in several jobs, ranches, Mount Mine, Fishtail store, until he started working as an oiler on road construction crews in Montana and Wyoming. After retiring in Ballantine, Wayne became Ballantine's best mechanic until he could no longer hang over fenders for hours on end, so his next adventure was small-engine repair until he couldn't handle or see tiny parts. By then, Wayne and Frances moved back to Absarokee and he found his niche taking care of many lawns and hauling garbage for all the old folks. To help out a friend who owned the car wash, he went to work for him, when Mark Fjare bought the car wash he said only if Wayne comes with it, so until last fall, you could always see Wayne cleaning up or trying to make the soap work.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Frances, of 71 years; and five children, Larry (Marie) Abney, of Bozeman, Judy (Lary) Garrison, of Billings, Janet (Dave) Blood, of Salt Lake City, Bill (Julie) Abney, of Helena, Susan (Martin) Gonsioroski, of Baker; Janet Abney, daughter-in-law; sister Margaret Marsh of Livingston; 31 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Don; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; three brothers; his parents; and many great friends.
One grandson said he never saw grandpa get angry. He taught us so much by just being himself. He was a man who worked hard all his life and was able to work alongside his three sons. How proud he had to have been to be able to do that. The man always seemed to be there when you needed him. The man who seems now to be the most Christlike example I have ever known. Always beside or behind you, leading the way in a manner that is so obvious now, but so subtle, always. How could this diminutive figure carry such a huge load? The patriarch of the family that loved him dearly. The true friend to hundreds. Grandpa was and is my true hero. In my eyes, he's a giant.
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice for all the help you gave us since April.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Absarokee or the charity of your choice.
Wake services 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 5, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Absarokee.
Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday, Sept 6, St. Michael's Catholic Church, interment in Rosebud Cemetery.
Wayne Harry Abney, of Absarokee, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013 at his home.
Wayne was born in Bercale on April 13, 1917, and grew up in the Judith Gap area.
In 1941 Wayne married Frances E. Farr in Sidney. They lived in the Judith Gap area until 1947, when they moved to the Fishtail area where Wayne worked in several jobs, ranches, Mount Mine, Fishtail store, until he started working as an oiler on road construction crews in Montana and Wyoming. After retiring in Ballantine, Wayne became Ballantine's best mechanic until he could no longer hang over fenders for hours on end, so his next adventure was small-engine repair until he couldn't handle or see tiny parts. By then, Wayne and Frances moved back to Absarokee and he found his niche taking care of many lawns and hauling garbage for all the old folks. To help out a friend who owned the car wash, he went to work for him, when Mark Fjare bought the car wash he said only if Wayne comes with it, so until last fall, you could always see Wayne cleaning up or trying to make the soap work.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Frances, of 71 years; and five children, Larry (Marie) Abney, of Bozeman, Judy (Lary) Garrison, of Billings, Janet (Dave) Blood, of Salt Lake City, Bill (Julie) Abney, of Helena, Susan (Martin) Gonsioroski, of Baker; Janet Abney, daughter-in-law; sister Margaret Marsh of Livingston; 31 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Don; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; three brothers; his parents; and many great friends.
One grandson said he never saw grandpa get angry. He taught us so much by just being himself. He was a man who worked hard all his life and was able to work alongside his three sons. How proud he had to have been to be able to do that. The man always seemed to be there when you needed him. The man who seems now to be the most Christlike example I have ever known. Always beside or behind you, leading the way in a manner that is so obvious now, but so subtle, always. How could this diminutive figure carry such a huge load? The patriarch of the family that loved him dearly. The true friend to hundreds. Grandpa was and is my true hero. In my eyes, he's a giant.
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice for all the help you gave us since April.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Absarokee or the charity of your choice.
Wake services 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 5, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Absarokee.
Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday, Sept 6, St. Michael's Catholic Church, interment in Rosebud Cemetery.
Wayne was born in Bercale on April 13, 1917, and grew up in the Judith Gap area.
In 1941 Wayne married Frances E. Farr in Sidney. They lived in the Judith Gap area until 1947, when they moved to the Fishtail area where Wayne worked in several jobs, ranches, Mount Mine, Fishtail store, until he started working as an oiler on road construction crews in Montana and Wyoming. After retiring in Ballantine, Wayne became Ballantine's best mechanic until he could no longer hang over fenders for hours on end, so his next adventure was small-engine repair until he couldn't handle or see tiny parts. By then, Wayne and Frances moved back to Absarokee and he found his niche taking care of many lawns and hauling garbage for all the old folks. To help out a friend who owned the car wash, he went to work for him, when Mark Fjare bought the car wash he said only if Wayne comes with it, so until last fall, you could always see Wayne cleaning up or trying to make the soap work.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Frances, of 71 years; and five children, Larry (Marie) Abney, of Bozeman, Judy (Lary) Garrison, of Billings, Janet (Dave) Blood, of Salt Lake City, Bill (Julie) Abney, of Helena, Susan (Martin) Gonsioroski, of Baker; Janet Abney, daughter-in-law; sister Margaret Marsh of Livingston; 31 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Don; one granddaughter; one great-grandson; three brothers; his parents; and many great friends.
One grandson said he never saw grandpa get angry. He taught us so much by just being himself. He was a man who worked hard all his life and was able to work alongside his three sons. How proud he had to have been to be able to do that. The man always seemed to be there when you needed him. The man who seems now to be the most Christlike example I have ever known. Always beside or behind you, leading the way in a manner that is so obvious now, but so subtle, always. How could this diminutive figure carry such a huge load? The patriarch of the family that loved him dearly. The true friend to hundreds. Grandpa was and is my true hero. In my eyes, he's a giant.
Thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice for all the help you gave us since April.
Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Absarokee or the charity of your choice.
Wake services 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept 5, St. Michael's Catholic Church, Absarokee.
Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Friday, Sept 6, St. Michael's Catholic Church, interment in Rosebud Cemetery.
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