Richard Land Vimpany
On December 24th, 2024, Richard “Rusty” L. Vimpany, treasured husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at the age of 88, at St. Peters Hospital in Helena, surrounded by his family.
Rusty, the youngest of three children, was born July 12th, 1936, at St. John’s Hospital in Helena to Richard Henry & Lela (Roberts) Vimpany. The family lived at the Girl’s Vocational School for a short time where his father was employed and when Rusty was five his father bought the Texaco Gas Station in Toston Montana where he graduated from the 8th grade (class of two) taught by his sister Betty. His Dad’s work took the family to Los Angles California for a short time and Rusty attended Hamilton High School. The family returned to Toston where he graduated from Broadwater High School in Townsend Montana.
In 1957 Rusty met LaVonne “Vonnie” Hartse at the Marlow Theater in Helena and they were married October 26th,1957 in Glendive, Montana at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and celebrated over 67 years of marriage. Following a brief Honeymoon to the Oregon Coast they settled in Helena where they had two children. A daughter, Debbie and a son, Doug.
Rusty worked for and retired from the Montana State Highway Department in Planning & Research and the Materials Bureau. He worked for Supreme Lighting for a short time and served as a Ssgt in the Helena National Guard for 11 years. He was a member of the Helena Jaycees, Cub Scouts, and Our Redeemers Lutheran Church (and served on the finance committee & head of the ushering committee) and later became a member of Liberty Baptist Church.
Rusty enjoyed bowling for many years of his life and once came within the last frame of bowling a 300 during a league match. He enjoyed woodworking and created many beautiful pieces for family. He loved camping, traveling with Vonnie and playing poker with his friends. He found much joy assisting his mother-in-law Myrtle Hartse at her 20-acre place near York. Rusty also enjoyed rebuilding his 1970 Blazer with his son Doug then showing it in car shows around the area.
Rusty is survived by his wife, Vonnie, and his children Debbie (Dave) Howeth of Helena and Douglas (Cindy) Vimpany of Helena. Five grandchildren Stephanie (Rande) Henderson, Joshua (Elizabeth) Howeth, Richard (Alexandria) Vimpany, Christina (Jimmy) Woodlyhand, and Stephen (Haley) Vimpany. Sixteen great-grandchildren Christian, Ashlee, Tucker, Eden, Gus, Isla, Adam, Richard “Rusty”, Madison, Maysen, James, Samuel, Timothy, Hannah, Kyler and Axyl. His four nieces, Jo, Lynda, Sandy, & Stacy and their families.
Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and a niece.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or Shriners Children’s Hospital (www.ShrinersChildrens.org).
Services will be held January 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home (https://aswfuneralhome.com/) in Helena followed by a reception and then burial at Forestvale Cemetery. If you are unable to attend in person, the service will also be live streamed.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 18, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following His Celebration of Life
Saturday January 18, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Interment
Following the Reception
Saturday January 18, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
10:30 a.m.
Saturday January 18, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following His Celebration of Life
Saturday January 18, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Interment
Following the Reception
Saturday January 18, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
Helena, Montana
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Tom/Judy Rolfe says
Debbie, Dave and the Vimpany family, we are so sorry to hear of Rusty’s passing. He was a wonderful Christian man who certainly loved his family. He’’ll Sure be missed. Please know we are thinking of you at this difficult time .
Jim and Sally Wilcox says
This breaks our hearts. Such a wonderful man. Sorry we can’t be there but will be in spirit. All our love. Thoughts and prayers are with you now, and in the days ahead. God bless you
John & Cherie Dahl says
Rusty was a friend from our days working at the Highway Department. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Jackie Lloyd says
Vonnie,
Im so sorry to hear about Rusty. Thoughts and prayers are with you. See you when I get back
Steve & Candy Lyman says
Vonnie, Debbie, Doug and family, We are so sad to hear about Rusty. We’ve been blessed to have him in our lives for all these years and we will miss his laugh and smiles. May peace and comfort keep you during these coming days. Steve & Candy
Brad Bomar says
Sorry for your loss.
Deena Verworn says
Vonnie and family, oh my goodness, I am so very sorry to hear about Rusty’s passing. I will greatly miss getting to visit with him and hear his infectious laughter. Praying that all your beautiful memories will help ease the pain of your loss of this kind man. Blessing to all of you. Deena
Bradley ruce says
I am sorry to hear of Rusty’s passing. We worked in the .materials lab for many years. His workroom m with the gauges and equipment was larger and more open. Rusty was always congenial and his room was an unofficial coffee break area. Rusty was generous with his time.
He came out and helped me wire the house I built in 1979 which was a much appreciated gift to a man on a shoestring.
I enjoyed hearing about his caravan travels with Keith McClain. He was one of the old breed, they both were men I respect.
I read he restored a 70 blazer. If that was his original go to work vehicle he commented the floorboards were rusting out from. The coffee he had spilled in it so he had a definite connection with it. I am glad he was living his dream.
David Holshue says
So very sorry to hear of Rustys passing you all are in my thoughts and prayers.