Donald John Messling, age 85, passed away the evening of November 29, 2025 at home in Toston, Mt.
Donald was born October 23, 1940 in the Prairie Du Chien, WI. He was the third child of William and Nellie (Whiteaker) Messling.
His childhood was spent in the hills of southern Wisconsin. He learned to hunt at an early age, which he enjoyed throughout his lifetime. His dog was named Bobbie and they were constant companions as Donald roamed the great outdoors.
In June of 1963, Donald joined the Army (327th Inf, 101st Airborne) because he wanted to jump out of planes. He was a member of an elite marksmanship group, went to Recondo school, then he spent one year in Vietnam, mostly on the front lines. During his time, he earned an Army Medal for Heroism saving wounded men during heavy fire.
When he got back home, he returned to the dairy farm. He received a Vocational Diploma in Productive Agriculture in 1976. He also went to horseshoeing school.
He got married and had his only daughter, Nevada in 1975.
Donald did a number of jobs from welding, riding in the stockyards, and guiding hunters on horseback in Idaho.
At his core, Donald was a horseman. He competed in rough stock, roping, and cutting. He went around the country learning everything he could from the best competitors of the day. He started breaking horses and instructing riders. He eventually ended up in Toston, MT. Besides training horses and giving riders lessons, he really loved riding in the mountains with his local ranching friends chasing cattle.
He met Carol Zirkle in 2000 in Toston and they started the StockHorse training facility where he focused on teaching horses and riders to work cattle for cutting and other cattle related events.
Donald is survived by his wife Carol Zirkle and his sister LuLu Belle (Messling) Lechnir. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Nellie (Whiteaker) Messling, his brother Roy Messling, and his daughter Nevada Leigh Messling,
There will be no services.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Share
Nancy Bohlman says
Until we meet again at the great cutting in the sky. You were such a wonderful part of my life. You will be greatly missed here on earth…
Scout Ferrel says
Donald, I knew you had a good heart when my dog and my mule liked you. So many good times and adventures. The world is a little less shiny without you. We know that you’re enjoying green fields, golden sunsets and fast ponies up there…Until we meet again!
Roger Sanderson says
Don. Thank you for all the time you spent moving cows with the crow creek permittees. Was always a pleasure riding with you. Also for sharing your knowledge and teaching Boo Boo how to shoe horses Your memory will live on. Roger
Andrew Sanderson says
Don was an amazing man. He loved to talk and always had an interesting story. My favorite one was he used to shoe horses to get money for his rodeo entry’s but soon found out that he was better at shoeing horses than riding the rough stock. Thank you for all the knowledge and tips on horseshoeing. You were truly one of a kind.
Andrew
LeAnn Coffman says
Don, I thank you for all the wonderful stories while riding gathering cows in the fall. Always had a wonderful smile with a bit of witt. I always made sure to bring some homemade Jerky to share on the trail. Rest in peace 🙏