Lance Newman, age 54, of Elliston died from a snowmobile accident Saturday morning February 7, 2015.
Lance Michael Newman was born on March 6, 1960, in Helena to Dan Newman and Deanna Mack Newman. In 1978 he graduated from Capital High School.
In 1979 he served as assistant pro at Green Meadow Golf Club under Ron Mendicino where he worked to establish a Junior Golf League. The following year he began an apprenticeship with the PGA under Mike Stoltz, while teaching beginning golf at Carroll College. Continuing his work with the PGA he was transferred to the Great Falls Country Club. During the winter months he gained several certificates in sports marketing, golf course management and golf course business administration. In 1983, Lance worked as an assistant pro in Seattle, Washington and a short time later, Lance went to Red Bluff, California to further his career in the PGA. Upon his certification as a Class A teaching pro with the PGA, he began as a club professional in Carmel, California, at the 36 hold Rancho Granada course located along the famous “17-mile” drive. With a desire to return to Montana, lance was hired as the first pro at the Fox Ridge Golf Course in Helena. After a ten year career with the PGA, Lance retired from professional golf, although until his passing it remained one of his favorite pastimes.
Later he followed his family’s footsteps joining the Montana labor movement where he served as a field coordinator for the Montana State AFL-CIO’s dislocated worker program in Glasgow, Great Falls, Missoula and Butte. Lance was an active member of Local 1686 Laborers International Union. In the last years of Lance’s life, he worked on various pipeline and public works projects throughout the state. He held his union brothers and sisters in the highest regard and gave the cause of the labor movement one of his utmost respect and loyalty.
Lance enjoyed hunting, fishing and played golf any chance he got. His happiest times were outdoors on skis, riding a snowmobile or working on a cabin built on his family’s mining claim south of Elliston. He also treasured a very special relationship with his mother, Deana. Her happiness and wellbeing were always at the forefront of his thoughts. Lance spent his last night at this place where he found his greatest peace and happiness under a full moon with his closest friends doing what he loved: riding a snowmobile as fast as the engine would allow and getting one last great chance to push the envelope.
Lance is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents John and Andre Mack , Butte, and paternal grandparents Dave and Elve Newman, Elliston.
Lance is survived by his mother, Deanna Andre Mack, of Helena, father, Dan Newman (Lisa) of Elliston, brothers Brad Newman (Darla) and River Newman of Butte and sister Dava Newman (Gui Trotti) of Cambridge, Massachusetts along with nieces Caitlin Newman, Michaela Newman (Ian Hochstein) , nephew Joe Newman and great niece Clara Hochstein.
A memorial service celebrating Lance’s life will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Elliston Gymnasium. Burial of his cremated remains will follow in the Elliston Cemetery. A reception will then follow in the Gymnasium. In lieu of flowers memorials in Lance’s name are suggested to the Helena Snow Drifters Club or the Elliston Cemetery Association.
To offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lance please visit below.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Elliston Gymnasium
Elliston, Montana 59728
Burial
Immediately following the Celebration of Lance's Life
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, Montana
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Elliston Gymnasium
Elliston, Montana 59728
Burial
Immediately following the Celebration of Lance's Life
Wednesday February 11, 2015
Elliston Cemetery
Elliston, Montana
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Mike Stoltz says
To All of Lance’s Family:
Lance and I are and were Pals – Always.
I always told Lance what I thought, honestly.
There were times Lance did not want to hear what I had to say.
Lance is one of the most intelligent, wittiest, human beings I have ever met.
Lance comes from a good gene pool.
Lance’s wounds in life’s journey were always self inflicted, as most all of us are.
Lance was his own worse enemy, Lance knew that.
There are easier ways to learn life’s boundaries than the way Lance learned.
Unfortunately, I will miss Lance’s celebration of life memorial service.
My Kathy is currently in Arizona on her annual vacation, and I am stuck watching Meandering Moose in Talkeetna, Alaska.
I have many believe it or not Lance stories, as you well know.
Those stories should bring a smile to your face.
No one fired Lance more than I did, then re-hired Lance at the next job!
No one expected Lance to die of old age in his rocking chair of old age.
Lance’s sudden departure comes as a shock, not so much a surprise.
Lance went out the way he would of wanted, on a snowmobile, with the throttle open.
I will stop by Elliston and trade Lance stories the next opportunity I get.
Mike Stoltz
PGA Professional
Duck Poop Diver
Entrepreneur – (sound familiar)
Owner, Meandering Moose Lodging,
Talkeetna, Alaska
Cathy Kaiser says
Oh that Lance! Always living life on the edge! So many memories from grade school and high school that always bring a smile. We were in a few plays together and I laugh every time I think of a sad play we were in about Jewish concentration camp and the girls wore elastic skirts and right before we went on stage he would yank it down so we would walk on struggling to pull it up! For a serious and sad play I never laughed so hard! Good times with Lance and so happy he was part of my life. Condolences to his family.
Mike Stoltz says
Lance always pushed the envelope.
Lance’s family was most important to him.
Mike
Loni DeLaHunt says
Lance…. I will always remember swim meets, you and your family. High school swim meet so would never have been the same without you! I have photo’s of Dava swimming with my younger brother and sister. So glad to have connected with you briefly on FB and know that you were living the life you loved and enjoyed! You are happy and free my friend….. see you on the other side! Thoughts, love, prayers and many hugs to your family.
Jody Stromberg Sandru says
Brad, Darla and Family,
Thinking of you with deepest sympathy. May you find comfort in all the beautiful memories of time you spent together. God Bless.
Shauna Longmire says
Deana, Dan, Lisa, Brad, Dava, River, and all of the Newman Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I will miss seeing Lance zipping around on his sled. Throttle wide open and going for broke. I had a lot of good times arguing and laughing with him!
Shauna Longmire
Theresa Burgess King says
My heartfelt sympathy to all of Lances family. He was a wonderful person who lived life to the fullest and died doing what he loved. May God Bless each of you and may you find strength in knowing that he is at peace and in a magnificent place.
Theresa
Shannon Throm Hahn says
To Lances Family,
So shocking and sad to hear of Lance’s passing. My husband and I enjoyed chatting and riding with Lance in Elliston, what a fun guy. I’ve always loved Lance’s free spirit, thrust for adventure endless talents. RIP Lance, you will be missed by many!
Mike Stoltz says
One quick Lance story for all.
I was texting Lance this past Friday, about Lance coming up to Alaska to visit for the Fur Rendezvous and Iditarod in March in Alaska
Lance mentioned to me about his new state job.
I sent Lance a photo of my next door neighbor in Talkeetna, a Iditarod musher “breaking trail” for his dogs in the dark (headlamp and all) in Alaska with his snow machine.
I let Lance know, Alaska dwarfs Montana (and it does) in wilderness and ruggedness.
Lance text back that he was getting ready to do a Friday night snowmobile run, and how warm it was in Montana. Lance said he would send photos of that run.
Lance also mentioned sledding at night with his snow mobile crew, somebody inevitably did something “stupid”.
Ironic,
Lance passed early morning in the dark in his snowmobile accident hitting a hidden patch of ice in the darkness.
Lance use to tell me more than once “every family needs a black sheep”, Lance’s wit and humor at work.
Lance’s family was most important to him and Lance was very proud of all.
Lance’s always pushing the envelope, his intelligence, humor and wit, will be missed by all that knew him.
Mike
Mari Kafentzis Wolff says
I am so grateful that I was able to have a fantastic conversation with Lance just days before he passed away. I ended it as I always did with ‘I love you my friend’! He ended it as he always did with ‘I love you too, and tell Leonard, Hi’!
Lance will always be in my heart and the Montana Sky just gained another shinning Star.
Brad Newman says
Thanks to all. Our family appreciates your kind words and memories. Lance is our son, our brother, our uncle, and his departure was too soon. But as you already know, Lance kept his own calendar and clock. There is comfort in the fact that he was with friends and doing what he loved to do at the time of his death. We should all be that fortunate.
Mike, you knew Lance as well as anybody, for better and for worse. You’ve captured his adventuresome spirit, his stubborn streak and his resilience in your memories. Lance leaned the hard way every time, but he always wanted to keep learning and to experience something new.
kelly schroeder rhimer says
I knew Lamce from school. As Mike Stoltz said ‘it wasn’t a surprise but a shock’. I didnt see Lance as often an I wish, but it was always good. There were times i just wanted to give him a big hug and hold him. He was a good and intelligent person but seemed so sad sometimes. Atleast now he can do whatever he wants and be safe and happy. Will miss you Lance. Prayers to Lance and his famiky.
Bridget Saravalli says
I was so sad to learn about Lance’s passing; he was really a sweet and very funny guy. I enjoyed working with him (even when he was being a pain). Mari and I had a great conversation reminiscing about our memories of Lance. God bless him, and all of the Newman family.
Kim Ranger says
To Lance’s family and friends:
It is sad to hear of Lance’s passing. May you all find strength and comfort in the memories that you cherish and the legacy that he has left behind.
Denise & Bill says
We we’re high school sweatheart & married. Had some great times, happy memories. He was a part of my family & I yours. Dan, Dee, Brad, Dava, I’m so sorry! But we’ll alway’s have those memories. Love to you all! Denise Nettik Hayden
Butch and Pearle Plowman says
Dan and Lisa—Our hearts go out to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jerry Thormann says
I visited Montana in 1995…my family and I got to meet “The Mayor of Elliston”…Lance treated us to wonderful hospitality…and then…THE DUCK RACES…my kids…now fully grown…still talk about that nice man (Lance) and the duck races…Lance and I traded e-mail often…and…occasionally…snail mail….Dan–Lisa—and family—-I think Lance’s spirit will be with you always….and…may God’s Peace be with each of you always.
Jerry Thormann
Don Wilkins says
Dan, so sorry to hear about your loss. Loved ones never really leave. They live on, always, in our hearts.
Mick Mulholland says
So sorry to the Newman family for your loss. Lance was an outstanding Union brother and always had his mind on the rights of workers and the way they were treated. I got to know Lance a bit more over the last couple of years, but will always regret not being able to hit the links with him. RIP!
Naomi Ladd says
Lance’s mother, Deanna, has been one of my very best friends since we went to school together in Butte. After graduation we both married and ended up in Helena where we continued our friendship, and where Lance, Brad and Dava, who were the same ages as my kids, attended school together. My prayers are with Deanna, Dan, and the entire family. May God grant them peace of mind and many blessings; and may we all meet again in the next life.
Pat Williams says
Carol and I knew Lance best as a young boy. His family..Deanna and Dan were among our best friends when all our kids were growing up together in Helena during the 70s. Lance was the go-go little one. He had two big twinkles for eyes and was quick to giggle. I only met Lance once since he was grown but in that get together he proposed we play golf…no handicaps. It was later I learned he had turned pro.
Our sympathies combine with best wishes to the Newmans,
Pat and Carol Williams
Bob Biskupiak says
Brad, Darla and the Newman family,
We are sorry sorry to hear about Lance’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob & Carrie
Mike Cuta says
Even though we grew up only a block away from each other. Throughout our lives we became a little closer than that. Snowmobiling is a passion that we both shared. When keeping your first snowmobile (the old one lunger) running from Elliston to Sam Whites and back was an accomplishment that we both reveled in, to getting the pony colt up to the top of Bison mountain the first time, or our first big loop, a 65 mile ride around Cottonwood Lake, and the Blackfoot meadows, taking in Bison, Thunderbolt, Electric
peak and Cliff mountains. That was what we lived for. Then there was the auctioning of the bar sled. That’s what You called your old 488cc Fan cooled Indy SKS with a 133.5 inch track. We never did figure out how they could measure that last half inch at the track but no matter, you had 100 square football pool board selling each square for five bucks apiece. I don’t think you filled the board but you sold over $400 worth,. The man that one it was from Missoula couldn’t believe Lance called him and told him that he won. He said that he had never won anything in his life. I don’t know who was happier when they loaded it into his truck, he for winning It, or you for getting rid of it. So many stories, so many rides, so many great times. Remember when J J said you looked like the gingerbread man when you were cartwheeling down the backside of bison after you got bucked off your sled while climbing up. Good times, they always outweighed the bad.
We talked about you Mike Stoltz on Friday night,he wanted me to go up there with him to see you. He said all I needed was a plane ticket for him.
On Friday night Lance was keeping track of us. When we would stop for a break he would ask where the fifth guy was. we did not lie when we told him we didn’t know. he’d go off looking for him. We didn’t get the chance to tell you back in the parking lot that there were only four of us out that night. We all would have had a laugh on that one.
Dan, Lisa, Deanna, and all of your families I cannot express enough how sorry I am for your loss. And Lance, if you ever swing by your cabin in the winter your porch will always be shoveled for you.
joe @ kim markovich says
Our dearest condolences to the Newman family. We are glad to have the opportunity to pursue the working man’s goal for a better work place. Thanks to Dan, Lance and brad Newman for all your help in the Montana labor movement expansion. Making our labor family welcome and building friendships you never forget. Kim and I are sorry not able to attend lance’s funeral. Rest in Peace our dear brother. Respectfully Markovich family.
James Lescantz says
Lance:
I’m your second cousin on your mothers side. When I visited my Grandma Muddy in Montana you were always the cool cousin to hang out with. I always wanted to have my eyes smile and light up the room like yours did. Even though the last time I saw you was 44 years ago. I still can see that smile and those eyes. Funny how some things just stick to your memory.
My mother Suzanne told me that when you were small, when your dog would take off to chase a car you would run after the dog to join in the chase. This would help explain some of the wonderful, mischievous events captioned in the memorial’s above.
With you I have another Guardian Angel to help look out for me. Much love and respect.
James
Gail Bader says
To the Newman family, my deepest sympathy.
terry Stutts says
I just got Facebook today as I was looking through it I was saddened when I found out the thought of a long lost friend who has never left my heart so many things I would’ve like to have talked with Lance before he passed. I’m so sorry and sad for the family. Lance and I go way back we brought him to Florida to start his golfing career at the golfing academy at west palm beach I’m so sorry I didn’t get to talk to Lance before now and here two months later, if I’d only done it sooner. When we got into Florida, all he could say was palm trees make me smile. I will never forget him.
Scott Watson says
I met Lance at Wilcox Oaks in Red Bluff when I was 14 years old. My dad died in May of that year (1985) and I was devastated. Lance both kicked me in the butt and nurtured me at the same time. He believed in me and gave me a chance, always letting me hang out in the golf shop, pick the range and clean the carts at in the evenings for a few bucks. Eventually, he would leave me the keys and allow me to close the shop on summer nights while he would drink in the bar. I didn’t have a ride home in the evenings, and although I didn’t have a drivers license, I knew how to drive a stick. Lance, with drink in hand, would toss me the keys and say “I’ve had too much to drink tonight, Beam me up Spotty!” He would then ensure we both had a drink for the road (usually a wine cooler which Lance referred to as “soda-pop wine”) and stop off to buy lottery tickets on the way home. In a devastating year for me, my friendship with Lance is one of my best memories and gave me hope for the future. I reconnected with him years later and we exchanged Christmas cards and notes. He was a good man and I love him very much. May he be in Peace in the afterlife.