We knew Roy “Duane” Noel would be special, as he was the very first baby born Jan. 1, 1944, in Laurel. He was the second child of Ashley and Kate Noel. He grew up and was schooled in Laurel where he was an active participant in all the school sports. Camping, hunting and fishing (and chasing the wily morel) with the Quinns, Prices, Hills, Hornings, Noels and Birklands were a large part of his early life.
He graduated from high school in 1962 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he attained a high clearance security level during his six-year enlistment. It was during his military time in Greece and Taiwan that he discovered his lifelong love of wine, women and song and his passion for life. Upon his discharge, he spent a couple of years in Taipei, Taiwan, working with an Air Force friend building a large catamaran with the intention of offering world cruises to well-to-do clients. After this venture faltered, he returned to Montana and enrolled at Eastern Montana College, now MSU-Billings. During his college years he came back into the lives of his brother, Brent, and his wife and kids; and his sister, Barb, her husband Tom Kress, and their kids. It was at this time that he met Bob Strand, his lifelong friend, and his wife and kids. He took great pleasure in absolutely traumatizing his young nieces, nephews and friends’ children, all of which only made them love and cherish him even more.
He graduated from Eastern with a BS in biology and furthered his studies by enrolling at MSU-Bozeman where he earned his master’s degree in soils science under the tutelage of Dr. Hayden Ferguson. With degree in hand and empty pockets, he moved to Helena where he worked for the State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. During this time, he met and married Beth Hilger of Wolf Creek. They lived for a time on Beth’s family’s ranch, the Circle 2, at Wolf Creek. While there, he completed his master’s thesis and went into business with Tom Wing where they formed Resource Engineers and Associates. Duane also worked closely with WESTECH in Helena for over 30 years. Beth’s parents deeded them some acreage on the Dearborn River where they designed and helped build their own log home. All the logs were peeled by hand as Beth and Duane were very adept at inviting people out to fish the Dearborn and peel logs while resting. After living there for seven years, they moved to Helena where Duane continued his contracting business (Grass-Land Inc.) while maintaining relationships with WESTECH and other local environmental and engineering firms. Duane and Beth started a sod farm business, which they operated until Quinn, their youngest son, graduated from Capital High. After that they subdivided the sod farm and created a real estate development under the Grass-Land Inc. logo.
Duane avidly followed his sons athletic careers, coaching for several years when they were younger. Both boys were standout football players at Capital High and Kyler went on to play for the University of Montana Grizzlies. His youngest son, Quinn, will graduate from MSU-Bozeman this spring.
Duane had a passion for life and lived it to the fullest. He played pick-up basketball beyond the age of reasonable. He loved fishing, hunting, scuba diving and backpacking. He played tennis with his friend Chris Phelps until shortly before his death. He totally loved playing guitar and singing with Bob at the many unremembered joints and house parties over the years. He was intense and competitive in any pursuit and yet humble to a fault. He has left a large void in the lives of many and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Beth (Hilger); two sons, Kyler Brenton and Quinn Conner; a brother, Brent and sister, Barbara (Tom) Kress, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted by the family for the placement of a bench along the Yellowstone River and a gift to the Tennis Center in Helena. The family would also like to request that blood be donated in Duane’s name.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Ken & Marge Kasper,& Jason Pepos says
Our sympathy and warmest thoughts are with you.We were so sorry to hear about Duane. All of us have very wonderful memories of our times together with sports etc. You are all in our prayers.
Howard and LIz Eich and family says
Beth and family, our prayers and thoughts are with you and the rest of the family.
Ryan Casne says
Beth, Kyler, & Quinn, I am so very sorry for your loss. Duane was one of my favorite people and likely the kindest & best humored person I’ve ever had the privelege to work for. I’ll always remember fondly his phone calls for fishing advice and the smile he was not shy to share. Please accept my deepest condolences,
Ryan Casne
Dick and June Lohof says
Our thoughts and prayers to all of the family. So enjoyed visiting with Duane at the traveling team tourneys.
June and Dick Lohof
Karen Bryson says
Beth & Family,
So sorry to hear of Duane’s death. Please know our thoughts & prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Marta Peters says
Dear Beth, Kyler, Quinn & Family, I was so sorry to hear of Duane’s passing! It seems like yesterday that Adam came home from a day in first grade telling me he had met a really nice friend named Kyler. Soon after, I met the really nice parents of Kyler…Beth and Duane. We’ve had some great times over the years. I have fond memories.
There’s one special thing I will never forget about Duane during a really tough time for me….. Adam was a Marine in Iraq at the time. Duane came to my work to tell me how proud I should be of Adam. I never knew Duane had been in the military before that, but it was something I’ll never forget. He looked me in the eye and asked if he and Beth could do anything to support me, and to tell Adam thank you for his service.
My prayers are with you all during this tough time!
Marta Jourdonnais Peters
Heidi Mann says
I am so very sorry for your loss. I knew Duane through tennis and enjoyed playing with him during mixed rotation get-togethers. He was always encouraging and had a great sense of humor. I will miss seeing him at the courts and am very sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Janice Schenk says
Beth and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, Duane will be greatly missed. He first coached my son in baseball, then years later, I met him again on the tennis court, he had a very competitive spirit and was enjoyed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids. Jan
Kirk and Donna Miller says
Donna first met Duane in college then we crossed paths again in Helena in the early 80s on the tennis court and through his work with Westech. It was so great to see Duane again on the tennis court on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings when we returned to Helena in 2008. During all those years I don’t recall anything but kindness and good humor from Duane. We will miss him.
Donny Saisbury & Family says
Beth, Kyler & Quinn –
I am so sorry for your loss. Our love and prayers are with you.
The Saisburys
Wendy and Tal Williams says
Dear Beth and family,
We really only knew you through your brothers and parents Don and Sarah…but we are so saddened at the loss of your husband. We have seen you around and followed your kids in the paper through their high school sports and our youngest son is at the tennis club often…and anyone associated with the Hilger family is #1 in my book. Your parents Beth are some of my favorite people. Please accept our sincere condolences.
bob oconnell says
Condolences
Mandi Jourdonnais-Dirk says
Dear Beth, Kyler, and Quinn-
It’s been some time since I’ve seen you guys and I am saddened by the news of such an amazing guy passing away. I remember him well. I remember always thinking “quinns parents” were the nicest people, always saying hello and asking how I’ve been. In this time of loss it might be hard to look back and celebrate his life but that will come. You will be in my prayers.
Mandi Jourdonnais-Dirk
Dhyana Rae Edwards says
Dear Beth, Kyler and Quinn,
My parents have such fond memories of Duane from the time they spent together in Taiwan. I know they regret losing contact with him and it prompted me to find this. Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. I know he was a dear friend to my parents and he will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Don and Connie Edwards, Dhyana (named after that Catamaran lol) and Dana