Daniel “Dan” Frank Funston, 57, hung up his spurs for the last time on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in White Sulphur Springs, MT.
Dan was born in Hays, KS on July 1, 1962 while his parents, Merle and Lee Ann (Krob) Funston were on a custom combining trip through the Midwest.
Dan grew up working on the family farm with his father and grandfather near of Sterling, ND. He also worked for his uncle Keith Salter during high school. He developed his skills young working on heavy equipment and with livestock. He was always happy to share his knowledge and his time with family, friends and neighbors.
After graduating Driscoll High School in 1981, Dan continued to work farms and ranches first in Carson and later Grassy Butte, ND. While working in Grassy Butte, he attended the Graham School for Cattlemen, in Garrett, KS. There he studied a variety of animal husbandry skills including caesarian deliveries for cattle.
He was most at home outdoors. At an early age his father, younger brother, Rick, and uncles would hunt in western North Dakota. When he moved to Montana he served as a hunting guide. In later years he shared his uncanny talent for spotting wildlife with family when they visited Montana.
He met Jean (Cooney) Roberts in 1988 when they worked together in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Jean was the camp cook and Dan managed the mules and horses. In 1989, Dan moved to White Sulphur Springs, MT. Later Jean and Dan operated the Montana Mountain Lodge as a B&B, while Dan logged and worked for local ranchers and farmers. Jean passed away in 2012.
On March 9, 2013, Dan married Jan Sassano on the banks of the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, MT. Together they enjoyed the quiet solitude of the outdoors, visiting family and sharing the outdoors with each other, family and friends.
Dan is survived by his wife Jan; two stepsons Brian Kalgaard and Paul Kalgaard, both of Helena, MT; brother Richard “Rick” Funston, PhD, Hershey, NE; uncles Lt. Col (ret) Neal Lloyd (Patricia) Funston, Jr., Orlando, FL, Clifton (Clara) Funston; and Stanley, of Bismarck, ND and Tom Weidmeier of Augusta, GA; aunt Marie (Dale) Saunders, Appleton, WI.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Neal and Gertrude Funston; aunts Jean “Jeannie” Schossow and Shirley Weidmeier; uncles; David Funston and George Schossow, MD.
Open House: Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm at the home of Jan and Dan Funston.
Interment: Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Menoken Cemetery, Menoken, ND.
Brad Heinz says
Hey Rick…….Brad is so sorry to hear about Dan. Prayers to you and his family. If you want to hear some good stories and memories, give me a call @ 701-390-7965. We really wish we could make it to the burial on the 18th, but we have a chuckwagon event that day. I would really love to see you if you are still around on Sunday, we could meet you somewhere. Please give me a call. Brad and Cindy Heinz.
Joe and Kate Pfeiler says
So sorry to hear about Dan. Just talked to him last year briefly. He is now in the hands of the Father. Just received word about Dan yesterday (July 15th). I have many great memories from back in the day when we were all still in North Dakota. Dan was always a lot of fun to be around. He will be missed by many…myself included.