Donald (Don) Adolf Talseth, nicknamed Tully or Red by many.
On the morning of July 6, 2013, Don passed away peacefully with family by his side, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, Montana, following complications of heart surgery. He was 81 years young.
Don was born in Helena, Montana on August 10, 1931. He was the fourth child of Pete and Anna Talseth.
Friendly and outgoing he could bend the ear of anyone with his gift of gab, whom family often had to rescue.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting at his daughter Jody’s ranch, fishing the Gates of the Mountains; the perch didn’t have a chance. While playing cards with his son Tim, he honed his skills and was able to take many a dollar from family and friends. Camping with family and friends made special memories and created lifelong friendships. His manicured lawn was the envy of the neighborhood.
Devoted to his wife Rozella and their five children, he often worked multiple jobs to support his young family, including Sheehan’s of Helena, the Montana Historical Society, a Postal Carrier, and Army National Guard. He passed on values of honesty and hard work to all his children.
Don and Rozella enjoyed square dancing as members of the Last Chance Squares, traveling often with the group and this is where they met their special friend Betty Carroll.
Don was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Rozella Talseth; sisters, Roseanna Williams and Betty Jakovac.
Don is survived by his children Linda (Quentin) Miller, Debbie (Gerald) Egermier, Timothy (Sherry) Talseth, Connie Riha, Jody (Dick) Lueck; one brother Frank Talseth; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great grandchildren. Don touched so many people’s lives and will be missed by all.
A memorial service celebrating Don’s life is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A reception will follow the service in the social center of the funeral home. Memorials in Don’s name may be sent to, St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation, 1106 North 30th St., Billings, MT 59101.
Jody Pace says
I am s sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time.
lynn&anita buchanan says
So sorry to hear of Dons passing.we will miss his friendly visits at the casino. So glad we had the visit with him before he left. GOD Bless all of you.
Mike, Shelly, Alli and Alex Pardis says
Our deepest sympathy in the passing of Don. We all thought so much of him. He is very loved by our family and will be missed. We thought you might enjoy this photo of him from just last month.
Rich and June Dosier says
Words are too few to express what I feel. We are praying for you, Quentin and your family.
Tana Meuer says
I am so sorry to hear of your father, my deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Terry and Ian Dalton says
Linda and family,
I was so shocked and sadden to hear of your dad’s passing. I sure liked him, he was a really sweet man. I am praying for your family, and to Betty, my thoughts are with you too. Hugs, Terry
Jan Ward says
So sorry to hear about your dads passing……..My dads hunting partner, Dad Mom and I are thinking of you all, awesome memories. Frank Donna and Jan
Raja Pandian Balasubramanian says
sorry to hear this news. May his soul RIP.
Angie Olson says
I am so sad to here of Don’s passing. I remember him so fondly. I know he is now in a better place. Mindy and Lisa, I am so sad for your loss, I am here for what ever and when ever you need anything. I love you both and hope you just keep in mind all the good times you had with your grandpa. He will be missed by all, as he has left his mark on this earth.
Linda- I am so sorry for your loss too. Prayers are with all of you.
Jeff & Diane Pedersen says
Linda and family
We were sorry to hear that your Dad passed away. OUr hearts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. God bless you all.
With deepest sympathy
Jeff and Diane Pedersen
Dan O'Fallon and family says
Linda, Debbie, Connie, Tim, Jody and families: Our condolences on Don’s passing. Don was a great man and friend. I could listen for hours to Don’s stories around the kitchen table. The kindness and friendship Don and Zell showed Mom and Dad, and my family, will never be forgotten. I will always remember Don’s smiling face and his hearty laugh. It is said that we all stand on the shoulders of those who raised us, and Don certainly taught me many life lessons, I was privileged to be able to stand just a little bit on Don’s broad shoulders, and honored to be counted as one of his many friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be missed. Dan O’Fallon
Karen Mattingly(o'fallon) says
My heart goes out to all of you for the passing of your father. He was a wonderful man and always full of spunk. It was so nice visiting with him a few years ago when we stayed at our old house. Such memories I will always have of your parents.
Sincerely, Karen Mattingly
mariah hintz says
Don will be missed greatly I always enjoyed hearing bout his and my grandfathers fishing trips…the family are in my prayers
Clay Pipinich says
Tim I’m so sorry to here of your lost. My prayers are with you.
Donna Bley says
Linda,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your dad will be greatly missed. I will miss seeing him at our luncheons.
Kathi Vazquez says
Don’s daughter, Connie, is one of my very best friends. I had the good fortune to take a trip out to Montana with her last summer, and I was able to meet the whole family. I will always cherish those memories. I was the recipient of a few of Don’s long stories at the kitchen table. At the campground, he was among those who taught me how to play the family’s favorite card game, “13.” He taught me so well, that I had the pleasure of taking a couple of dollars from him when he came East to visit me with his family in my home last October. He knew how to throw a party too, in that very lovely backyard of his that he maintained so well. He was an all-around great guy, and my heart goes out to you all at this very sad time. Wish I could be there to give you a big hug. Please know that I will be with you in thought, especially this Saturday. Many prayers and love to everyone! Kat
Vickie and Chuck Lowen says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss! May the years you shared with Don hold strong memories in your heart! God’s Blessings!!
Rose Crocker says
Linda and all the Tolseth family. I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Ray & I always enjoyed visiting with him whenever we saw him in the casino. I enjoyed the family dinner at your Dad’s home in December for your birthday Linda as well as Easter brunch at your home. Your Dad and Mom were such nice people. It is hard to accept a loss like this but you have some wonderful memories of all the good times. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Herb Welch says
What a shock! Just found out about Uncle Dons passing on Friday afternoon. I was really looking forward to seeing him at the Johnke family reunion in Fairfield next weekend. He was a great uncle and I will sure miss him.
CoriLea (Hintz) Broadbrooks says
So sorry to hear of the loss of Don your family is in my prayers i have lots of fond memories of Don from clear back when i was just a little girl oh the stories he told and all the joking around he did with me. Donald Duck you sure will be missed.
Len & Chris Sagenbrecht says
Dear Debbie and Jerry, and all the Talseth Family….
Even though we can’t be there with you, you are in our thoughts and hearts today. Your dad is now with your mom again, and I’m sure that was a joyous reunion! I never had the privilege of meeting him, but he must have been quite a guy to raise such a terrific daughter, my dearest friend, Debbie.
Deb, please call when you get back to Omaha.
Love,
Chris & Len
Ralph Rasmusson says
Been some years since I’ve seen your Dad, but we carried mail together at the Post Office, both the old and new post offices. I consider your Dad my friend, wasn’t anything we couldn’t talk about. He was a level headed individual. I’ve suffered the lose of a friend and I know that he loved his family. Love Ralph Rasmusson, Great Falls.
mischa welch says
to all of you may God hold you in the palm of his hand in the loss of your father..it brings peace to know that your mother and father are once again square dancing through the gates of heaven..you all are such terrific children your parents loved you and were so proud of all your accomplishments. to think you all survived one bath tub all those years together!!the laughs, the jokes,how to play hard, how to work hard, all the words of wisdon your father instilled in all of us. may all your memories keep your pain at bay. you are all forever in our prayers. uncle don you will be missed more then you will ever know by your family, your friends and all of your nieces and nephews you grew so much to think the world of you . your laugh.. all your barbecuing stlye and your welcoming home to any one who ever entered..AND to know you walked up that hill thinking you were tired when you needed the doctor do get the one last big elk!!!as our father wayne wiley welch always said and had in his wallet……..allergic to doctors..PEACE TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES..CELEBRATE YOUR PARENTS AS THEY SO WELL DESERVED.. THEY WERE A CUT OF THE BEST UNLIKE ANY OTHERS.. IN GOD’S LOVE, Mischa,Kamryn Konner and Kiara( remember all those cards typed on the old typewriter every year and dad who continued the tradition after your mom was gone)
Nile Morrow says
Lois called me and shared with me about your Dad. It seems like another lifetime ago that I got to meet him when I first stayed with Anna and then Rose on alternate years. Donnie was a senior in HS when I was in 2nd grade. These two families passed on to me as well, their beautiful work ethic and they loved me unconditionally. I remember when your Dad and Mom met. Zell was so full of fun and lively. Who would have thought that you guys would live next door to my future wife’s folks? I pray all the wonderful times you had with him will soften the ache you all have in your hearts. You were blessed with amazing parents! Big hugs to you.
Ginger (McDowell) Knaff says
Connie and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Hope you are doing well.
Ginger