Floyd Dolence
GREAT FALLS — Floyd Montgomery (Monte) Dolence, 79, passed away peacefully in his sleep with his wife at his side, on July 9, 2017.
Monte was born on Aug. 10, 1937, to Joseph and Bessie Dolence, in Caldwell, Idaho. Growing up on farms and ranches and helping his parents were some of Monte’s fondest memories. He spoke of many of his adventures and experiences quite often.
When Monte graduated from high school, he attended college in Moscow, Idaho, for a few semesters. That wasn’t exciting enough for him and so he went back to helping his parents on a large ranch in southwest Idaho.
After a time, he married Judy Snow. Judy and Monte had six children, Daniel (Yvonne) Dolence, Christine Dolence, Pamela Dolence, Ryan (Crystal) Dolence, John (Michelle) Dolence, and Craig Dolence. Monte and Judy were later divorced. During their marriage, Monte worked for MK Construction. He also worked in South America for a time, and then for Simplot in Caldwell, Idaho. Monte later came to Ronan and started a paving company, which he later sold and went back to Idaho.
Making trips back to Ronan occasionally, he met his current wife, Wanda on Sept. 11, 2001. Monte and Wanda were married on Dec. 2, 2001, in Dillon. Monte was also baptized on that same day. The two enjoyed many adventures over the next 15-plus years.
Monte always had a “good idea.” These ideas brought him to Elim, Arkansaw, where he helped enlarge a runway to handle larger planes. The following year Monte and Wanda flew to Alaska to work in a gold mine located 45 air miles south of Fairbanks. Later that year Monte found himself in Quartzite, Arizona, selling lures at the big flea market and then used equipment at a junk yard.
He headed home to Montana and then to North Dakota to drive truck for Wanda’s brother, Mike. After completing that job he came home to work for Wanda’s brother Randy. He hauled hay around Montana and while working in Browning, ended up in the hospital with a broken hip. This did not keep him down for long. A week after a hip replacement he was back on the road. He loved his “Pete.”
Monte was happiest when helping. He was a consummate professional and could make things work that others had written off. Monte loved his family very much.
He is survived by his wife and children; as well as his grandchildren, Adam, Jacob, Benjamin, Kylie, Tara, Cody, Brendon, Eric, Katie, Megan, Kelsey and Gavin; his nine great-grandchildren; his three step-children; his seven step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren; his brother, Leon (Bonnie) Dolence; his nephew, Rick (Brenda) and his nieces, Jan (Vic) and Brenda. A large extended family will remember him fondly.
He joins his parents, Joe and Bessie.
