THE SCHEDULED BURIAL FOR 12/21 IN HYSHAM, MT HAS BEEN POST PONED DUE TO WEATHER.
GRAVESIDE SERVICE DATES AND TIMES WILL BE ANNOUNCED WHEN THEY’RE RESCHEDULED.
The Hoovestal family lost its patriarch on December 12, 2022, when Gary Edward Hoovestal, an old man satisfied with life, breathed his last breath at a ripe old age, and was gathered to his people.
Gary Edward Hoovestal was born in a railroad section house in Sanders, Montana, on January 14, 1939, to Palmer Arthur Hoovestal and Neva Pearl (Muller) Hoovestal. Gary developed pneumonia shortly after birth and nearly died when life for him had just begun. But a country doctor making his rounds fortunately brought sulphur to the house which they used to treat his pneumonia. This sulphur treatment restored the newborn Gary back to health.
Sometime later Gary’s father, Palmer, purchased a country store just across the road from the section house in which Gary was born. In those days the Sanders store was an important landmark in Treasure County where local farmers and ranchers and their families would go to pick up their mail, buy a newspaper, purchase groceries, or just socialize. General merchandise ranging anywhere from clothing, farm equipment and feed to saddles, ammunition, and firearms, were available for purchase at the Sanders store. Gary’s father, Palmer, was a gregarious and friendly man and more often than not customers would come to the store just to play a game of cards or checkers or drink a bottle of pop and visit. This upbringing had a profound impact on Gary and shaped his character throughout the rest of his entire life. It was a happy and simple life in a rural Montana community. People were friendly, worked hard, and both knew and cared for each other.
Gary grew up beneath the shade of giant cottonwood trees next to the Yellowstone River and horses were a part of daily existence. Gary frequently worked as a cowboy for neighboring ranchers, spending entire days atop a horse working cattle in the hills and the breaks. Gary was extremely proud of the fact that he was from Sanders, Montana.
Gary attended a one-room country school that had a school master who taught all subjects to all ages and all grades. One winter day the school master participated in a snowball fight with the children. He would poke his head around the corner, and when the children would throw snowballs at him, he would duck his head back around the corner, thus evading the snowballs that the children threw at him. Gary wised up to this defensive technique and timed his throw so that the snowball would be launched just before the school master would look around the corner. Too smart for his own good, Gary’s snowball hit the school master squarely in the face and broke his glasses. Of course, Palmer had to pay for the school master’s broken glasses.
Gary attended high school in nearby Hysham. He played football and basketball and participated in rodeo. In 1957 he competed at the National High School Rodeo in Reno, Nevada, taking third place in bull riding and sixth in saddle bronc riding. Right after graduating from Hysham High School, Gary enlisted in the United States Army where he became a paratrooper with the original Band of Brothers, the 101st Airborne Division. He was a machine gunner and learned how to box while with the 101st Airborne Division.
Gary was honorably discharged from the Army and used the GI bill to go to college. He studied Education and Spanish, eventually receiving a Ph.D. in Spanish Literature from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. Not surprisingly, Gary was fluent in Spanish having also lived in Mexico City and loved to speak Spanish at any and every opportunity.
Gary taught Spanish and coached football at the high school level before coming to Helena where he both taught and coached at Carroll College. He was particularly proud of his days coaching with his colleague and close friend, Robert “Putter” Petrino, as well as the other members of the Saints coaching staff. Gary was inducted into the Carroll College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996, and coached the 1978 Carroll Saints Football Team that was inducted in 2005. There is an athletic scholarship, the Gray Bull Scholarship, at Carroll College in Gary’s honor.
Gary took the most pride in the accomplishments of his family members and his company, Greenway Enterprises, Inc. Greenway has extensive experience in international construction, including project management, supervision of field operations, and contract administration on a wide range of construction projects. Greenway has been named Small Business of the Year and currently has 110 employees and offices in Helena, Silver Spring, Maryland, and Ashburn, Virginia. Contracts performed by Greenway have taken Gary to 91 separate and distinct countries over the years.
Gary was a true renaissance man. His accomplishments and good character were recognized by anyone who knew him. He was an expert horseman who raised a herd of high quality horses. He was inducted in the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2014. He was a philosopher, a poet, a prolific song writer, and a loyal friend, husband, father, and brother. His character was truly remarkable. He was as strong, wise, hardworking and industrious, courageous, brave, loving, curious and intelligent as they come.
Not a man to be told when or how to do things, Gary allowed himself to pass only five days after the passing of his wife of 61 years, Dee. He will be missed by us all.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, YuVonne “Dee” Hoovestal, his sister-in-law Michelle (Dennis) Hoovestal, and his brother-in law William “Squeaky” (Rachel) Parker. He is survived by his sons Palmer (Shelley), Jon (Molly), and Lance (Carol), numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, sisters Myrna Van Luvanee (Omer), Janice Brown (Harold), brother Dennis Hoovestal (Michelle), brother-in-law Joe (Patsy) Parker, sister-in-law Jackie Roberts, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks goes out to Missy Quigley, as well as DaNeal Anderson, Heather Wenzel, Stephanie Lavinder, Michelle Lavinder, Marie Lavinder, and Marieta Smith. A joint celebration of Gary and Dee’s lives is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., with food and refreshments to follow the service at the funeral home.
Gary and Dee will be buried next to each other at the cemetery in Hysham, Montana. A joint burial service will be held graveside on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:30 a.m.
Monday December 19, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Monday December 19, 2022
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 596002
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:30 a.m.
Monday December 19, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Monday December 19, 2022
Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 596002
Don Hunter says
So sorry to hear of Gary and Dee Dee passing! Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Edward Kerins says
My sincerest condolences. Definitely has “gone to the top.”
Tammy & Pete says
Very interesting to read about the life of the great Gary. He will certainly be missed. Our condolences to all friends and family.
Diane Nelson says
My thoughts & prayers are with all of you. Gary lived a good life & accomplished so much. I have his music on CDs & enjoy his songs about Sanders especially. He & YuVonne are forever together. May God comfort you in your sorrow.
Gene and Pat Franks says
Gene is reminiscing about his days at Carroll with Gary. I’m hearing stories about a few parties! I’m thinking about Dee and listing their house out in Birdseye. I remember the Don Quixote scene plastered into the wall. Quixote meant the impractical pursuit of idealistic goals, well Gary and Dee certainly did that and had an extremely extraordinary life while remaining true to each other and their family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families; Palmer, Jon and Lance.
Rick McAlmond says
So sorry to hear of Gary and Dee’s passing. I worked for Gary and Dee selling Fertilizer and Hydroseed in Greenway’s beginning days. I learned a lot from both of them in the short time I worked for them. I have fond memories of trips Gary and I made to pick up grass seed and fertilizer in Spokane. My thoughts and prayers are with Palmer, Jon and Lance and their families
Terri Drake Stoltz says
We are saddened by the loss of Gary and Dee. Please try and take comfort in your memories, of which there are plenty I’m sure! Gary was such a kidder and the Hoovestal Family Reunion in Helena will be one of my wonderful memories!
Armando Barragan says
I’ll always be so grateful to Gary and Dee. Gary recruited me to come to Montana from Los Angeles to play football for Carroll. It changed my life forever. I owe so much to this man. A wonderful and great Man,mentor,friend ,coach leader ,on and on. Dee thank you for welcoming my family and I to your home. All of us Mando. Paula,Erik and Sydney will never forget the both of you. With love Rest in Peace.
Shauna Longmire says
Mr. Hoovestal, where do I start!! You always made me laugh with a smart alec comment you made or just because of your kindness to me. Thank you my friend!! I will always think of you and smile!! I am glad that you and your wife are together and dancing in the clouds!! R.I.P my friend, I will miss you!
Shauna
Theresa Eckermann Pagano says
Mi sincero pésame.
Señor Hoovestal , por medio de su entusiasmo por y dedicación a la educación y el Español, me motivó seguir mi carrera en en los dos.
Gracias por su ser. Que descanse en paz.
My sincerest condolences
Mr. Hoovestal, by way of his enthusiasm for and dedication to education and Spanish , motivated me to pursue my career in both.
Thank you for being you. Rest in peace.
David ness says
Palmer, I’m sorry to hear about your parents. But, I will say that I just read your father’s obituary and, all I can say, is wow, what a life! He must have been a great guy and he sure lived a life well lived.
Timothy McKeever says
Sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. I spoke with him on numerous occasions while managing the Husky west in Helena. I once got a ride from Billings to Hysham from Palmer Sr. Just really nice folks that were as friendly and honest as the day is long. Rest In Peace, Sir!
Vince Lindgren says
Very sorry to hear of both your parents passing, it is never easy to say goodbye. My condolences to you and may the Lord’s peace rest upon you at this time.
Donna Wise says
So many things that i didn’t know about Gary Hoovestal. To me he was a terrific Spanish professor while i was studying the language at Carroll. When he came to teach we students were told that the classes would be in Spanish, not English. It was difficult at first but immersion in the language really helped us become proficient. My sincere condolences to his family .
Tami Miller says
Jon,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your parents.
Good thoughts and prayers to you and your family
Matt & Mary Kunnary says
Matt & I are very sorry about Gary & DeeDee passing. Gary was a great person
to have known. Gary & DeeDee were a great couple. God’s blessing to the family Palmer, Jon & Lance. Our thoughts go to the family.
Matt & Mary Kunnary
Ron Marshall says
Sorry to hear of the passing of Gary and Dee. I first met Gary in Hysham when I took mt first teaching job in Hysham in 1964. Since then our paths have crossed many times He was always genuine and honest. My prayers go out to Dennis and all of Gary’s family. Rest in peace.
Carla Williams says
I didn’t know Dee, although we met a time or two. Gary was one of my favorite professors at Carroll College. He was so smart and funny and kind. He really cared about his students and cared about the Spanish speaking people in this country. His Spanish was great and his knowledge of Spanish and Latin American history was impressive. He will be missed.
Carole B. Herman says
I met Gary in 1959 in New Orleans, La. He was on a ship with service men docked there for Mardi Gras. Ne was a perfect gentleman. Tall, thin. very focused. He made quite an impression on me = someone from far away places i had only read about. I was a coed at LSU at that time. I am glad that he was able to obtain his life.s dreams. I know he was a very good man and I remember him fondly Carole Burns Herman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana LSU 1961