Gary Paul Wetzsteon, 95, passed away September 25, 2024, at St. John’s United in Billings, MT. He was born on April 4, 1929, in Hamilton, MT to Edgar and Helen Wetzsteon of Sula, MT.
Gary grew up in Sula on the family cattle ranch, the Lazy J Cross, where his grandparents had homesteaded in the late 1800s. He graduated from Darby High School in 1947. After high school he attended MSU Bozeman where he received a BS degree in Range Management. He was also a proud enrollee of ROTC from 1947 to 1951.
In July of 1951 Gary married the love of his life, Zoe Ann LeSuer in Hamilton, MT. Shortly after their marriage, he reported to Larson Air Force Base near Moses Lake, WA where he began his duties in the U.S. Air Force. Gary would spend two years in the Air Force, starting with his deployment to Tokyo, Japan as first lieutenant serving as chief courier officer during the Korean War. Gary returned to the states, was discharged from the military, and furthered his education by attending grad school at the University of Montana where he earned his certification as a Forester. Gary spent his life-long career in land management and forestry. He spent time in Rawlins, WY as a BLM Range Conservationist, in Whitehall, MT as Asst. Ranger for the Jefferson Ranger District, and West Yellowstone, MT as Asst. Ranger of the Gallatin Nat. Forest district. Gary and his young family experienced firsthand the devastating Yellowstone earthquake on Aug. 17, 1959. As Ranger, he received a superior service award for his participation in the Earthquake Rescue Unit. He would become District Ranger in 1960 at Harlowton, MT until 1967 when he was transferred to Red Lodge, MT to become District Ranger of the Custer Nat. Forest for 12 years. The Red Lodge Mountain ski hill was managed by the forest service at that time, and he was one of the original groomers on the mountain. A most beloved project during his career at Red Lodge was the development of Woodbine Campground on the Stillwater. He considered his fellowship and service organizations as an important part of his life as well; Masons, Shriners, Lions Club, and Kiwanis to name a few. In 1979, Gary transferred to Billings and was a Lands Staff Officer of the Custer National Forest until he retired on February 1, 1985.
Gary and Zoe began their retirement years by moving back to the familiar Bitterroot valley, at Sula, MT. Gary built their log home, which was a favorite gathering place for their four daughters and their families. They spent many wonderful years enjoying the beauty of the hayfields, mountains, and fishing streams before they moved to St. John’s United in Billings, MT in 2008.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Zoe, parents, Edgar and Helen Wetzsteon, his brothers, Gordon, Herald, and Sterling Wetzsteon, and his sister, Peg Windsor.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Patti (Mac) McGahan, Diane (Patrick) Metzger, Nancy (Jay) Billington, and Vicki (Matt) Catingub; grandchildren, Jenny, Cory, Mandi, Malori, Alex, Sarah, Cale, and Kate; and great-grandchildren Leilani, Gabriel, Devon, Castiel, Zahariel, Julia, Jack, Aiden, Fletcher, Romy, and Noah.
Gary had many interests and was always actively engaged in his activities. He and Zoe were life-long members of the Episcopal church, and he spent many Sundays officiating as a lay reader. He loved his family, his MSU Bobcats, gardening, pitching horseshoes, fly-fishing, cracking jokes, jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, golf, skiing, camping, and reading anything about Montana history.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be left at the Billings Cremation and Burial Services in Billings, MT. (www.billingscremation.com)
In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations to St. John’s United, Rimrock Road, Billings, MT 59102.