Fredrick Arthur Synness, 70, whose forebearers were a Montana pioneering family, passed away of natural causes Saturday at his home in the Helena Valley. Freddy was born May 9, 1941, to Otis and Margaret Synness.
His great grandparents, Andreas and Gurina Synness, immigrated to Montana from Norway in 1879, and homesteaded on the Horse Basin Ranch, on the other side of North Hill. While growing up in the East Helena Valley, Freddy worked hard on the family ranch on Lake Helena Road. He attended Helena High, and married Gerry Mae Cloud. Together they had eight children, they later divorced. He remarried Geraldine Belgarde, they later divorced.
Freddy worked for the City of Helena for over 20 years, retiring due to health reasons in 1989. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and lifting weights. He enjoyed spending countless hours at his cabin in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant, where his grandparents Ole and Maggie Synness homesteaded in 1893.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Margie Wilmer Smalley and Mary Henry; his 2nd wife Geraldine; a son, Kelly Lee; and a daughter, Debra Ann Knutson. Freddy is survived by his brothers Otis, Jr. (Bud), Wes and John; and his children Thomas Michael (Barb); Timothy John, Keith Wesley, Denise Marie (Dean) Webster; Kathey/Toots, Candace Rae (Jeff) Seliskar; 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be 11a.m. Friday, July 8th at Little Red School House, located in the Helena Valley on Sierra Road, with a reception immediately following the service. To offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Fredrick, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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art wilmer says
I forgive you Fred, and I hope others will too.
flossie shaw says
Tim
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Flossie
dave heller says
I worked with Fred at the City.havent seen him in years. RIP Fred.
Curt Black says
Tim,
Sorry to hear about your dad.
Curt
Judith Williams says
So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. I met up with him occasionally at Jay’s place of business and in HHS halls and events. My condolences to you and your family. Judy Williams