Thomas Frank Dartman September 21, 1929 – June 27, 2017 Thomas Frank Dartman was a child of the great depression, whose parents homesteaded along the high line, north of Hinsdale, MT. Tom’s parents were John and Ella, and Tom was one of 10 children raised near and in Hinsdale. John and Ella also had parents, siblings, and cousins that lived, worked, and homesteaded in the area, all of which influenced Tom’s character and had some role in determining the man he would eventually become. Tom was born into the life of a rancher and farmer which he fully embraced. He lived most of his early life in the saddle, and was a horseman and cowboy throughout his entire life.
Tom married Marion Elizabeth Fraass on June 3, 1950. The couple lived and worked in Helena until they moved to their ranch north of East Helena. The ranch was the center of family life from that point forward, and it was where they raised their family. Tom and Marion also worked at jobs away from the ranch, and upon retirement they moved back to Helena. Tom and Marion joined the St. Helena Cathedral Parish after returning to Helena, and Tom volunteered time in support of Resurrection Cemetery for the diocese.
Tom’s family as well as his extended family spent time on the ranch haying, working cattle, raising and riding horses, and taking full advantage of all that Montana had to offer. Tom and his many siblings communicated closely throughout their lives, and had many family gatherings at holidays, vacations, and just about any occasion.
Tom avidly followed local, national, and world events. He was a fan of rodeo and country music, and Tom never found an old tractor or truck he didn’t like when attending an auction. Tom liked anything to do with agriculture, but his focus was cattle and by extension, horses.
After retirement Tom partnered with long-time friend Louis to provide guided pack trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The duo used Mammoth Mules for part of their pack string, which proved to be endlessly interesting and entertaining to them both.
Tom is preceded in death by his wife Marion, his parents John and Ella, his siblings Jack, Betty, Adel, Ella Mae, Robert, Loraine, and Helen. Tom is survived by his children, Kathy (Steve) Schmidt, Jack (Kate) Dartman, and Dan (Anne) Dartman. Tom is also survived by sisters Jackie Jean Fisher and Beverly Scanson, by seven grandchildren (Alec, Jenna, Ella, Hanna, Sam, Gertrude, Xavier), and many wonderful nieces and nephews that enriched his life.
Tom’s family extends its gratitude to St. Peter’s hospital, medical staff, and its hospice team for the tremendous care provided to Tom, and support provided to our family.
The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 13th at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena. A reception will follow mass in the Brondel Center of the Cathedral. Rite of Committal will follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Tom are suggested to Resurrection Cemetery, P.O. Box 1729 Helena, MT 59624. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Tom.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday July 13, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday July 13, 2017
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Followng the Reception
Thursday July 13, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday July 12, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday July 13, 2017
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Mass
Thursday July 13, 2017
Brondel Center
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Followng the Reception
Thursday July 13, 2017
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59601
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Todd Cockrell says
We miss you Uncle Tom.
– Your humor
– Your wit
– Your wise ass comments
– Your wise comments
– Say hi to Aunt Marion for me
Your nephew Todd. Ride the sky.
Todd Cockrell says
Todd Cockrell says
We miss you Uncle Tom.
– Your humor
– Your wit
– Your wise ass comments
– Your wise comments
– Say hi to Aunt Marion for me
Your nephew Todd. Ride the sky. ?
Bob and Valerie Raisch (FL.) says
Jack and Kate and family,
Our deepest condolences on the passing of your father.
We hope family, friends, and faith carry you through the difficult times while memories lift you up
and bring a smile.
God bless.
With sincere condolences,
Valerie and Bob Raisch
Kay Johnson says
Jack, Kate and family —
So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. It’s wonderful that you got to spend so many years with him. May your memories give you comfort.
Thinking of you,
Kay Johnson
Cathy and Greg Kovich says
Our condolences to the Dartman family. Having just seen Tom recently I was saddened and surprised to see this announcemen. Years have passed since working with him at the department of Transportation but he was the same ole Tom in wit and memory. Louie was our neighbor so we also got in on those discussions and fun memories. Blessed am I to have shared a last conversation with him. Nice to meet you Kate. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom Cockrell says
I don’t think I ever saw him mad, or ever heard him say an unkind or untoward thing about anybody. He was witty, even tempered, with a great sense of humor and was quick with compliments – deserved or not. He was a very nice man, and I was lucky enough to have him as an uncle – as were an awful lot of us. They aren’t gone as long as we remember them, and people like Tom Dartman leave a lot to remember. Thank you, Uncle Tom.
Tammy Steckler says
Jack & Kate, the deepest of condolences to you and your family.
Big hug to both of you,
Tammy S.
Patti & Scott Guenthner says
Uncle Tom, what I will miss most about you–
That you reminded me of Umpie
Your sweet smile which always made me feel welcome
Your amazing sense of humor & laugh from your belly
Listening to the family stories which always made me laugh
Most of all your friendship & endearing spirit
Know how much we love you & how much you will be missed,
XOXOXO’s Patti & Scott
Cheryl Vukasin says
Sending our thoughts & prayers to the Dartman Family. What a wonderful man and I so enjoyed our conversations & visits. He was a wonderful friend to Glenna Buck & us. I always relied on him to give me advice on Chinook the horse. What a wonderful sense of humor and so knowledgeable about everything. I will greatly miss Tommy.
Love Cheryl Vukasin
Ritch Rauser says
I’m Louis’s nephew and remember the rodeos “unc” and Tom used to present with the wild horses and mules.
I have many very fond memories of the two of them and a few gray hairs.
Unfortunately, I didn’t keep in as close of touch as I should have but will always have very fond memories of Tom’s escapades with my uncle and our family.
I know Louie thought the world of him.
Evelyn knowles says
Tom,you were a very true friend. Say hi to Fred for us.A man who was always kind to people he seen & knew.Never saying anything bad about others, loved making others laugh,giving Fred a bad time trashing him.Loved listening to him talk about his family, Mother specially. He liked talking about when he was younger & living up on the high land on a farm with his siblings.How he was from a family of ten children, myself from nine children.Always asked about my Daughter & Granddaughter if they weren’t around when we ran into each other. Well Our Friend; Tom we’ll miss you with that big smile & beautiful blue eyes. Like we said give Our Love to Fred when you enter the gate to the lord.Our prayers are with the Dartman family. God Bless You.
Evelyn knowles says
Tom,you were a very true friend. Say hi to Fred for us.A man who was always kind to people he seen & knew.Never saying anything bad about others, loved making others laugh,giving Fred a bad time teaseing him.Loved listening to him talk about his family, Mother specially. He liked talking about when he was younger & living up on the high land on a farm with his siblings.How he was from a family of ten children, myself from nine children.Always asked about my Daughter & Granddaughter if they weren’t around when we ran into each other. Well Our Friend; Tom we’ll miss you with that big smile & beautiful blue eyes. Like we said give Our Love to Fred when you enter the gate to the lord.Our prayers are with the Dartman family. God Bless You.Evelyn Knowles, Daughter Denise Gjerde & Granddaughter Erin London