Earl H. Stene
Earl H. Stene passed away peacefully at his home on July 18, 2024.
Earl was born in Livingston, Montana, on May 29, 1936, to Nora and Arne Stene. The family moved to Huntley in 1939. He graduated from Huntley Project School in 1954. Earl joined the U.S Air Force in 1955. He was a Communication Center Specialist. He spent time in California, Wyoming, Greenland, Newfoundland, Turkey and Greece. He was very proud to serve his country. After the service he went to work at Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative as a power line worker advancing to lineman, foreman and retired as plant manager. His love for the outdoors had him planting trees and shrubs for the Yellowstone Conservation Service. He then started mowing the Billings City Parks for 12 years. September 26, 1959, Earl married the love of his life Karen Weidinger. Together they raised three daughters–Tana, Michelle and Renee. He was the BEST girl Dad. He shared his passions with them by taking them camping, fishing and hunting, as well as taught them all about yard work and gardening. Earl always had an amazing garden and loved to share the fruits of his labor especially his delicious, family favorite-pickles that he canned every summer for all to enjoy.
Earl and Karen loved to travel. Hawaii, Norway, Germany and Alaska were some of the places they visited. For several years they also enjoyed going to the Norsk Hostfest in Minot, ND. It took Earl back to his Scandinavian roots! They also traveled many miles to watch their grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in their many sports and competitions. They were amazing supporters and their grandkids’ biggest fans. He always had words of encouragement, positive comments and could be heard cheering from the stands. Earl and Karen also attended numerous Denver Bronco, New York Yankees and Colorado Rockies games. He was a loyal fan.
Earl was proceeded in death by his daughter Renee, parents Arne and Nora, siblings Mary, Karen, Kenneth, Sharon and Ronnie, brothers-in-law Dick, Frank, Butch and Marshall. He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years Karen, his two daughters Tana (Steve) Buckley and Michelle (Jay) Radke, grandchildren and their families: Ryan and Aletha (Parker, Layton, Cutler and Ashtyn), Amber and Shane (Cade-Ellen, Shann, Murphy, Brock and Bryce), Joshua and Jessica (Gabriel and Wyatt), Tyler and Shannon (Tucker, Westin, and Peyton), Daniel and Stacy (James, Matthew and Cameryn), Miranda and Colin (Carson, Elliot and Adrienne), Kyle and Shiloh (Emma, Kellen, Harlow and Mila), Arica and Brandon (Mckenna and Briggs). He is also survived by sisters-in-law Cheryl, Dolores and Lois, brother and sister-in-law Ed and Phyllis, and several nieces, nephews and cousins, and his very special neighbors Julie and Phil, Russel and Brenda as well as his beloved Kitty Coley.
Earl will be missed dearly by all who knew him. He was one of a kind and had a heart of gold.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th St. on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Memorials can be sent to Special Olympics, P.O. Box 3589, Great Falls MT 59403; Special K Ranch, P.O. Box 479, Columbus, MT 59019; Huntley Park Fund, P.O. Box 101, Huntley, MT 59037; Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5713, Helena, MT 59604; or a Veterans Group of your choice.
