Keith Alan Weasel Tail ended his long, and hard fought battle with cancer on July 7th, in the loving arms of his wife Jeanie.
Keith was born on June 25, 1961, in Browning, Montana to Margaret Weasel Tail. When Margaret passed away in 1964, Keith and his siblings entered foster care. After years in different foster homes, Keith was rescued by his “mom”, Darlene Byers, and was raised in the Whitefish area where he attended Whitefish High School and was active in baseball and boxing, for which he earned several trophies. Keith then entered the United States Army and was stationed in Germany until his honorary discharge in 1986.
In 1987, son, Nathan Matthew Weasel Tail was born. Then in 1991, Keith met the love of his life, Jeanie Parker Weasel Tail, and they were married in Bigfork on June 26, 1993. Keith and Jeanie moved to Yakima, Washington, where Keith attended Perry Technical Institute. Two more sons followed to make their family complete: Jake Ronald, born January 26, 1995, and Zachary Keith, born February 5, 1997. The family then moved to East Helena where Keith worked for Getronics as a computer technician and then later at XL Cable, and he was last employed as a filer for RY Timber.
Keith was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. For three years he had fought courageously for more time with his family and more time doing the things he loved: fishing (with Zach, Ron and Uncle Dwaine), camping, hunting (with Zach, Andrew and Nick), woodworking, playing his guitars, and hanging out with good friends at the Glass Slipper. He looked forward to the yearly camping trip to Lake Alva where all the family came together and made amazing memories. He also enjoyed watching his boys play football, first for Bob’s Valley Market and then at Capital High School. Keith enjoyed the time he spent helping lifelong friend, Duran Caffero, with his boxing club. Keith coached Jake to win in his last boxing match in Missoula. Keith was a great fan of the Seattle Seahawks. He loved his two girls, Penny and Phoebe, golden retrievers who loved him and comforted him always. When he was able, he enjoyed taking them on walks on our country road. After a rough beginning to his life, Keith was very proud to have such a loving and close knit family who made his life very special. His humor and his smile will be greatly missed. He was a fun guy who always made life interesting.
Keith is survived by his devoted wife, Jeanie; sons Nathan (granddaughter, Aurora), Jake and Zach; his mom, Darlene Byers, Stryker; his mother and father-in-law Ron and Jane Parker, Columbia Falls; his sisters and brothers-in-law; Marilyn and Senon Trevino, Helena; Sherry and Todd Brester and nephews Andrew and Nick, Kalispell; and Tamy and Dana Wagner and nieces Taylor and Haley, Missoula; birth siblings: Larry (Fern) Weasel Tail, Browning; Marvin Weasel Tail, Browning ; Sharon Weasel Tail, Idaho; and Maggie Weasel Tail, formerly of Whitefish; siblings, Jeff Hersey, James Hersey, Pete Hersey, Keewatin Brandenburg, Diana McKinley; his best fishing buddy Uncle Dwaine (Diane) Martin of Helena as well as many other family members and friends.
The family would like to recognize the caring professionals who took such good care of Keith during his illness: the ever-patient staff at the Cancer Treatment Center, Dr. Thomas Weiner, and all the “angels” on the second floor of St. Pete’s, especially: Tegan, Nichole, Melissa, Catie, Mary, Todd and Luke for always going above and beyond every day; and to Stephanie, for her amazing comfort and care those last few hours. You will always have a special place in our hearts. And a special thank you to all our family and friends everywhere that helped make this battle so much easier to fight.
A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2014 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. with a pot-luck reception to follow the funeral service in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial with military honors will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 12 at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls, MT.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Friday July 11, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Friday July 11, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helen, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Friday July 11, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Funeral Service
Friday July 11, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helen, Montana 59602
Share
Ray and Denise Williams says
To Jeanie, Nathan, Jake and Zach~
Keith was so full of life and surprises. He was a truly unique soul. We will forever smile and chuckle when we recall the time Keith took up jogging and entered in the Governor’s Cup just because he felt like it that year, or the time he was studying physics and calculus in his free time just because he wanted to know more about these subjects, or when he taught himself how to play the guitar because he always wanted to. Keith treated life like an adventure that was mean’t to be enjoyed. He was always joking, laughing, and sharing a story. We loved his ability to take an everyday situation and find the humor in almost every circumstance. Keith made us laugh every time we saw him. We will forever miss the laughter he brought us and his grin that followed the punch line. Surprisingly, he truly knew how to enjoy life despite the obstacles placed in front of him as a child or as an adult. Keith knew how to enjoy the small things, the simple things, the outdoors, and the people around him. We will miss him forever but he left so many wonderful memories that we will smile often when we think of him. We love you and know that the beautiful memories he left each of you will keep him close to you forever.
Lisa Petre (Kevin, Morgan, and Maddie) says
To our dear friends, the Weasel Tails,
“I’m on Holiday!” The famous phrase spoken by Keith that let us know our vacation had begun. We have so many fond memories of Keith as well as your entire family. Meeting you both during our birthing classes in Yakima sparked the beginning of a long time/long distance relationship for us all. Our summer trips to Montana, Idaho, and then having you return here to Yakima were all special moments in our lives. We are all so grateful that you were able to return for one last trip this year. God was watching out for Keith! He felt so good-he could even go golfing and have a beer with us. Although we are not there with you today as you remember Keith at his service, please know that our hearts are with you all.
We LOVE YOU! Lisa ( Kevin, Morgan and Maddie)