At noon on August 2nd, 2024 Rick passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his wife and children. Rick was 64 years young, and had bravely fought for a year and half against Pancreatic Cancer.
Rick was born in Malta, MT on May 14th, 1960 to Arthur Wiedeman Jr. and Kathy Wiedeman. He was the third child and only son.
Rick and family moved to Cut Bank, MT where he resided all through his childhood, with a close-knit group of kids riding bikes, playing on the banks of Cut Bank Creek until the sun went down and mom’s called kids in for dinner. Rick attended Cut Bank Schools from kindergarten through his graduation in 1978 from Cut Bank High. He golfed and played basketball and football for the Cut Bank Wolves. After graduation, Rick attended Montana State University in Bozeman, MT where he met his future wife, Terry Weller. While still in college, Rick and Terry were married in Stanford, MT on September 3rd, 1983. Rick graduated from MSU with a BS in Finance, and a minor in Economics. After graduation in 1984, Rick’s first job took him and Terry to Nevada where they welcomed their first child, Brittany in September of 1985. Rick worked 4 years in Nevada and Arizona, waiting for an opportunity to get back to his beloved Montana. The family moved to Missoula, MT in 1988, and shortly thereafter, Rick took a job at Ronan State Bank in Ronan, MT. It is there where Cassandra was born in January 1991 and Tyler in October 1992, making their family complete. As a banker in Ronan, Rick was involved in many civic organizations, but the one he was most proud of was being a founding member of the first YMCA to serve the Mission Valley.
After establishing and opening a branch of Ronan State Bank in Pablo, MT, Rick went on to open branches for several other banks. This included First Boulder Valley Bank-Montana City Branch, First Community Bank-Three Forks Branch and First Community Bank-Helena Branch where he finished his banking career and retired in 2015.
Rick’s love of sports and family meshed where he was able to be involved in his children’s activities and sporting endeavors. Whether it was coaching from the crowd, or coaching on the field or court, he always was encouraging his children to do their best and just have fun! He coached Small Fry Football, and numerous travelling basketball teams.
Rick’s hobbies and pastimes included riding his treasured Harley Davidson Motorcycle with his close friends and his wife. His most memorable trip was a month-long ride with Terry immediately following his retirement, to California and up the Pacific Coast Highway. He loved flyfishing domestically and internationally, almost always with his Uncle Paul, and often including other friends. Rick enjoyed golfing, rafting, ATV rides, and Casinos because “Life is a gamble,” after all. Rick was an involved Mason, Shriner, and Jester. He thoroughly enjoyed his time spent as a MOA Basketball Referee, which he did up until his diagnosis in April of 2023. Of all these pastimes, nothing was more important to him than time spent camping, playing cards and travelling the world with his wife and children. Rick felt spending time with his adult children was like visiting the best parts of his life.
Rick was preceded in death by: his parents Arthur Wiedeman, Jr. and Kathy Wright, his sisters Kari Wiedeman and Karla Dean.
Rick is survived by his wife Terry of the family home in East Helena, MT, daughter Brittany Wiedeman of East Helena, MT, daughter Cassandra (Nick) Kutzko of Bozeman, MT, son Tyler Wiedeman of Bozeman, MT and their beloved puppy, Jackpot. Rick is also survived by his Uncle Paul Wiedeman of Dillon.
Services for Rick will be held Saturday, August 10th at 11am at Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602. Donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital. Please go to www.aswfuneralhome.com for additional information.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday August 10, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Reception
Following the funeral service
Saturday August 10, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday August 10, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Funeral Reception
Following the funeral service
Saturday August 10, 2024
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
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Karleen Hanson says
I only met Rick a couple times, but what a great guy! My heart hurts for you all. Please know, we will be saying a special prayer for Rick and the family. Love to you – Karleen
Linda Miller says
Rick and I opened the bank in Montana City in Dec. 1995. We quickly developed a great working relationship, taking our job’s seriously on one hand, but laughing about the funny stuff on the other. Thoroughly enjoyed our customers. I would stop by First Community Bank occasionally to visit and to check on the family. I was so glad to have had lunch with him and Terrie a couple of months before he passed. Funny guy and loved his family. I will remember him.
Bridget says
I had the honor of getting to know Rick, Terry, and the family through my job. He was a force to be reckoned with, with his quick wit and humor. He definitely knew how to keep a person on their toes. I am saddened to hear the news of his passing and the loss his family must be feeling. Even though I didn’t know him on a personal level, it was evident how important his family was to him. He will be missed. My condolences to all
Dave Van Nice says
So sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. He was one of my favorite Y Ball guys and we had many laughs together over the years. We would guard each other since we were in the senior bracket of noontime players. He made plenty of three pointers over my outstretch arms even though I was playing stellar defense. My thoughts and prayers are with Rick’s family.
Michael Gilleran says
My favorite connection with Rick was at noon time basketball . We had many laughs and conversations while guarding each other and especially while trying to warm up and stretch prior to the actual games. He always seemed to know it was just a game and don’t take it too seriously.
Staci Dawes says
Rick was one of my most favorite parents as a teacher/coach of his kids in East Helena. Rick ALWAYS knew you and would strike up a conversation that could last for a long time. He officiated many of our 3 kids basketball games and was always willing to engage during the game! 🤣 Terry, Brittany, Cassie and Tyler…know that the Dawes Fam cares!!
Mary Strozzi says
So sorry Terry and family. What a great guy, and so many memories. Love and prayers, Mary and Jeff.
Robin Newhouse says
I grew up in Cut Bank with Rick . He was my best friend in junior high since we were in the same class. We have some close knit friends we all hung together throughout high school and made a lot of fun memories . It was great to catch up with him at our last class reunion. He and Terry were planning on riding their bikes out this way to visit relatives and were planning a stop in KC . Unfortunately Vance beat him to the trip. Grateful for having him in my life.
Brad Owens says
Terry, I was sad to hear of Rick’s passing. He was one of the good guys. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Brad & Dot Owens
Brian Farmer says
Terry, I am just stunned. I had not heard that Rick passed. In fact, I sent him a text after the Cats beat NM and wondered why I didn’t get a response.
Even though I hadn’t seen you guys in many years, Rick always stayed in touch, and I considered him a close friend forever.
I know this is a difficult time for you and the family. Cherish the great memories of a life well lived, and consider yourself lucky for the decades you had with Rick. (I know he cherished the time with you)
I’ll always remember you guys flying around Stanford in my Camaro after the wedding.
You are all my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
All my Best….Brian Farmer