Charles Guyer

Funeral Service for Charles Guyer, 87, of Ekalaka, MT will be 3:00 p. m. , Friday, December 19, 2014 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Ekalaka, MT with Pastor Tom Stieg officiating. Visitation for Charles will be 1:00 p. m. to 3:00 p. m. , Friday, December 19, 2014 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka. Charles passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana. Charles Wesley Guyer was born on September 12, 1927, in Ekalaka, MT, the third of Walter and Francis Guyer’s four children. The last survivor of that family, Charles passed away December 14, 2014, after a brief illness. He witnessed many changes during his lifetime: from riding horses to a one room schoolhouse to flying in planes in WWII, from working the ranch with a team of horses to using diesel tractors, from spinning 78 records to listening to CD's, but one constant throughout his life was his enjoyment of creative pursuits. After graduating at the age of 16 from Carter County High School in 1944, Charles entered the Navy. He trained as the belly-gunner on a PBY2 until the end of the war, finishing his hitch in Maryland as a clerk and a member of the Navy band. After the war he returned to Montana. Initially he enrolled at Montana State University, but thinking it was just too crowded, he returned to Ekalaka to ranch. He met, and married in 1953, his favorite bookkeeper and accompanist, Donna, and these partners ranched together and made music for over 60 years. In addition to ranch work, Charles worked for the Production Credit Association as a Miles City field man and for the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in Ekalaka, as well as fulfilling his civic responsibilities as a member of the school board for the Griffin country school, as a chairman on the Carter County High School board, and serving twenty-nine years on the Southeast Electric Board. He was a pioneer in applying rangeland improvements to increase the carrying capacity of the land. Together with son Russell, Charles and Donna developed an efficient ranch operation. Charles was proud and stubborn in the face of adversity or challenge, and a perfectionist in his endeavors. Drawing was a pastime throughout his life, especially pen and ink drawing. He was also a mostly self-taught musician. After playing baritone in high school and for the Navy during WWII, he became proficient on multiple instruments; first, playing for dances at local community halls, and later in his life playing at fiddling jams and senior citizens centers. His favorite instrument was always the fiddle, an instrument he doggedly pursued after his stint in the Navy despite being told once by an instructor to give it up as he had no ear for it. His enjoyment in playing the fiddle was immense and we know that he is continuing to play in a heavenly jamboree. Charles is survived by his wife of 61 years Donna (Stieg), their 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren: son Jim (Jeanie Mentikov) with children Chris and Danielle, son Russell Charles (Mardee) with their daughters Emma and Ellen, daughter Sally Jo Looker (Trent) with children Tate (children Joey and Dakota), Lance, and Tessa (John) Palczewski (children Isabelle, Jace, and Sam) , son Justin (Lori) with children Makenzie and Jarrett, and son Kasey (Bev) with children Sophia and Trevor. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, and his three sisters: Nelle Dean, Shirley Columbo, and Dorothy Plantenberg. He will be deeply missed.


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Burial Date: December 19, 2014
Funeral Home Ekalaka, MT
Church Stevenson Funeral Home

Funeral Services:Friday, Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT