Don K. Shaffner DVM
1919-2009
Living a lifetime in Beaverhead County, Donald Kurtz Shaffner, DVM passed away Sunday, Oct. 25, in Billings. Don was born Nov. 18, 1919, in Dillon, where his parents, John F. and Della (Kurtz) Shaffner were homesteaders.
His school years were busy as a young man on the dryland farm, helping farm and ranch. He and his brothers ran wild horses to sell to the cavalry or the fox farm. He spent a lifetime of working with all animals however cows and horses were always his favorite. He related many stories of his years as a member of 4-H (charter member in 1935) and FFA, showing sheep and other projects.
He was an FFA State Farmer in 1938 and attended the National FFA convention in Kansas City, Missouri in 1937 as a member of the National Band. He was always proud of being able to show sheep at the State Fair in Great Falls, taking the trip by boxcar with his animals.
After graduation from high school in 1938, he journeyed off to Montana State College in Bozeman. Don and his lifelong friends, Art Christenson and Floyd Pahnish, joined the Montana National Guard, motivated by the wages of $0.50 per drill.
The 163rd Guard Unit was the first unit called up during World War II, and Don and his buddies were shipped overseas to the South Pacific.
After his service, Don returned home, spent a summer in the hayfield, and entered Veterinary College in 1945 at Washington State College in Pullman, Wash. It was there that he met Helen Lloyd, and they were married July 14, 1946, in Waitsburg, Wash.
After graduation in 1949, he and Helen moved home to Dillon, where he began his veterinary career with Montana license #177. In 1960, he purchased the Veterinary Hospital and maintained this practice until 1979. A testament of his dedication to the profession was maintaining his license until 2008.
In 1964, he purchased a ranch on Grasshopper Creek and, upon retiring from the Veterinary Hospital, he purchased the Coyote Creek Ranch on Horse Prairie and began ranching full-time. Between Grasshopper and Coyote, many family memories were created over three generations. It was at these ranches that Don cherished his favorite hobby, working.
He took great pride in his stewardship of the land and raising good cattle.
Don served as President of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association in 1962 and, in 1969, he was elected President of the Intermountain Veterinary Medical Association.
Don was a mentor to many in the veterinary profession, especially his cousin’s son, Dale Kurtz, DVM, of Scottsbluff, Neb.
Don was a member of the Montana Veterinary Medical Association, Southwest Montana Stockmen’s Association and the Montana Stockgrower’s Association. He also served on the Barrett Hospital Board of Directors, where he was instrumental in developing the current hospital, and was a charter member of the Barrett Hospital Foundation. In 1981, Don helped to organize the Beaverhead 4-H Foundation. He was also a member of the Elks Club and the VFW.
Don was honored as the Southwest Montana Stockmen’s Association “Stockman of the Year” in 1988. He was also presented the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce’s Agriculture Award in 1996. When he received this award, Don stated that while he appreciated his award, his work in the community is “just what every good community member should do. I just always tried to give back to the community for what I received from the good people here.”
He touched the lives of many with his teasing smile and positive attitude. He inspired his family and friends by his desire to always learn something new and that with hard work, no task was too difficult.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his parents; and his brothers, George, Walter and Dean.
Don is survived by his daughters, Sydney (Leroy) Gabel of Huntley, and Gail (Rick Kuntz) of Dillon; grandchildren, Greg (Ellen) Gabel of Fort Riley, Kansas; Anne Gabel of Huntley; Morgan and Jace Kuntz of Dillon; and step-grandchildren, Hilary (Chad) Biggerstaff of Belgrade; and Alissa (Ryan) Mellum and their daughter, Beckett, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Several cousins, nieces and nephews around the country also survive him.
A visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5 -8 p.m. with a celebration of Don’s life following on Friday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. at Brundage Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the Edgewood Vista of Billings and their outstanding staff for the excellent care that Don received the past eighteen months.
Should friends desire, the family suggests memorials to: Barrett Hospital Foundation, Beaverhead County 4-H Foundation, The Dillon Junior Fiddlers or a charity of their choice.
A guest book is available online at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Marvin Dale Sprinkle
1943-2009
Marvin Dale Sprinkle passed away on Oct. 24, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born April 4, 1943 in Dillon, to Joseph E. and Mildred V. Sprinkle. He attended school in Dillon and later moved to Helena where he worked various jobs. He moved back to Dillon where he drove truck and did janitorial work for many local taverns in Dillon.
Marvin was an all-around handyman and could fix and create anything. He believed that life was about family and friends, and had six children and many adopted children.
In 2006, he married his best friend of 17 years Susan Graham and became a second father to her two children.
Marvin had a heart bigger than all outdoors and would give the shirt off his back to anyone that needed it.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Susan, his children, Craig (Donna), Bonnie (Bart) Crane, Scott (Tyia), Darcy (Billy) Johnson, Joe (Corrina), Billy, Wendy Graham, Brian (Shonna) Graham, Will Williams, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, brother; Melvin (Donna) Sprinkle of Helena, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins friends and family.
A viewing will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 from 1 - 3 p.m. with a service following at 3 p.m. at Brundage Funeral Home. A guest book is available at www.brundagefuneralhome.com.
Betty Woodland
1937-2009
Betty Woodland's long, arduous journey is finally over.
On Sept. 16, we lost a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and a dear friend, but the heavens have gained another angel.
Betty was born June 28, 1937, to Raymond and Edna Hoy in Salmon, Idaho. She grew up and attended school in Dillon.
She moved to Idaho in 1965 where she raised her family. Betty had many passions in life, but her family and friends were most special to her. She never forgot a name or a face of someone she met.
She was a member and a Past Madam President of the Hayden Lake Eagles Auxiliary and Past Idaho State Madam President of the Eagles Auxiliary, which was a position she was especially proud to hold. She spent many hours donating her time to help raise money for many worthy causes.
Betty had many special qualities and will be missed by many.
Betty's family would like to give a special thanks to the caregivers of Post Falls Life Care Center and the Auburn Crest Hospice.
Betty is survived by her husband, Elmo (Woody) Woodland; daughters, Debbie Woodland, Tammy (Chuck) Johnsen, Laura (Eric) Barnes; sons Greg Woodland, Rick (Angie) Simonsen, Lynn Woodland; sisters, Margaret Hunt, Wilman Higgins, Deen (Dick) Campbell, Janet (David) Oakley; brother Raymond (Connie) Hoy; grandchildren, Nicole, Rebecca, Marissa, Jachin, Jamie, Maddie, Dan, Sean; two great-grandchildren, Avery and Brynn; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Edna Hoy, and her brother, Fred Downs.
A celebration of Betty's life was held Sept. 24 at English Funeral Chapel, Post Falls, Idaho.
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