Daniel “Dan” Frank Funston, 57, hung up his spurs for the last time on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in White Sulphur Springs, MT.
Dan was born in Hays, KS on July 1, 1962 while his parents, Merle and Lee Ann (Krob) Funston were on a custom combining trip through the Midwest.
Dan grew up working on the family farm with his father and grandfather near of Sterling, ND. He also worked for his uncle Keith Salter during high school. He developed his skills young working on heavy equipment and with livestock. He was always happy to share his knowledge and his time with family, friends and neighbors.
After graduating Driscoll High School in 1981, Dan continued to work farms and ranches first in Carson and later Grassy Butte, ND. While working in Grassy Butte, he attended the Graham School for Cattlemen, in Garrett, KS. There he studied a variety of animal husbandry skills including caesarian deliveries for cattle.
He was most at home outdoors. At an early age his father, younger brother, Rick, and uncles would hunt in western North Dakota. When he moved to Montana he served as a hunting guide. In later years he shared his uncanny talent for spotting wildlife with family when they visited Montana.
He met Jean (Cooney) Roberts in 1988 when they worked together in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Jean was the camp cook and Dan managed the mules and horses. In 1989, Dan moved to White Sulphur Springs, MT. Later Jean and Dan operated the Montana Mountain Lodge as a B&B, while Dan logged and worked for local ranchers and farmers. Jean passed away in 2012.
On March 9, 2013, Dan married Jan Sassano on the banks of the Yellowstone River near Emigrant, MT. Together they enjoyed the quiet solitude of the outdoors, visiting family and sharing the outdoors with each other, family and friends.
Dan is survived by his wife Jan; two stepsons Brian Kalgaard and Paul Kalgaard, both of Helena, MT; brother Richard “Rick” Funston, PhD, Hershey, NE; uncles Lt. Col (ret) Neal Lloyd (Patricia) Funston, Jr., Orlando, FL, Clifton (Clara) Funston; and Stanley, of Bismarck, ND and Tom Weidmeier of Augusta, GA; aunt Marie (Dale) Saunders, Appleton, WI.
Dan is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Neal and Gertrude Funston; aunts Jean “Jeannie” Schossow and Shirley Weidmeier; uncles; David Funston and George Schossow, MD.
Open House: Saturday, June 27, 2020 from 12:00 – 5:00 pm at the home of Jan and Dan Funston.
Interment: Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Menoken Cemetery, Menoken, ND.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Dan.
Janna Cawlfield says
What a fine-sounding man and Larry and I were glad to meet him last year. Sorry for your loss, Jan.
Janna and Larry Cawlfield
Bridget Holland says
Jan – so sorry for your loss – Bridget and Chuck Holland
Randy & Shauna Porter says
So sorry Jan. Dan was a good man and will be missed in our community.
Chris Nielsen says
So sorry for your loss. Dan was a great guy and I will miss him.
Sharon Nelson says
Jan and Rick, I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers for you and yours.
Deb Killpack says
I wish I could have met Dan. You were lucky to have been able to find a love like this even if for such a brief amount of time. So sorry for your loss Jan.
Pam Smith says
Rick, So sorry to hear about Dan. High school would not have been the same without the 2 of you. I remember Dan as being kind and quiet. It sounds like he found his place in life and enjoyed what he did. My thoughts and prayers for you and your family during this sad time. I hope you find happy memories to fill in the empty spaces.
Linda Higgins says
So sorry to hear about your loss, Jan. I was so happy to meet him see you again in Billings last year.
You are in my thoughts!
Lots of Love,
Your cousin, Linda