Gordon Edgar Sanderson passed away peacefully on September 1, 2023 in Helena, Montana. He was 89 years old. Gordon was born on August 10, 1934, in Red Lodge, Montana, to Gustaf Sanderson and Margaret Nelson. He was the fourth of six children. When Gordon was five the family moved from Washoe to Toston, where the family lived for many years. Gordon attended elementary school in Toston and high school in Townsend at Broadwater County High School, where he graduated as the valedictorian of his class in 1952.
Gordon loved ranching and spent his life devoted to his calling and sharing his knowledge with those around him. He went to work for Sadie McMullan in the fall of 1953 on a ranch in the Crow Creek Valley near Toston. It was here that Gordon met the love of his life and best friend, Shirley Lewis, whom he married on August 24, 1957. The couple had four children, Laurel, Roger, Jeff, and Julie. Gordon and Shirley became ranch owners when the McMullans gave them the family homestead, Section 32, and 25 hereford heifers. Later on they acquired half of the Lewis Ranch. They expanded the ranch throughout his life. While running the ranch, Gordon was a long-time member of the Soil Conservation Board and the Crow Creek Stock Association, serving as their secretary. He was a prominent rancher in the Crow Creek Valley and was a well-respected member of the community, truly one of the last great cowboys of our time.
Gordon took great care of his cattle, he could frequently be found in the fields keeping an eye on the herd and ensuring that operations were running smoothly. A natural with animals, Gordon loved horses, dogs, and cattle, all of which adored him in return. He had a gift for training his dogs, whether it be with them working as cow dogs or teaching them tricks at home. His favorite dogs were Curley and Homer, both of whom he spoke of with great affection.
Gordon was friendly and kind, he was always willing to help a neighbor or stop to chat on the way to feeding cows or baling hay. He had a phenomenal sense of humor and was always ready to tell a joke and light up the room with a huge laugh and a smile. He took care of his family, teaching them the value of love, hard work, and dedication to a craft. He spent his life working beside his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on the ranch that he built and loved. He worked on the ranch until he was unable to do so.
Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, Gustaf and Margaret, his brothers Norman, Ronald, and Gerald and his sisters Eileen and Enid, and a daughter, Laurel. He is survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Shirley, and three children, Roger Sanderson (Cindy), Jeff Sanderson (Ellen), and Julie Zipperian (Mark), all of Toston, MT, five grandchildren Casceila Miller (Albert) of Yakima, WA, JJ Smith of New Orleans, LA, Andrew Sanderson (Julianne) of Toston, MT, Sarah Sanderson of Dillon, MT, and Ashley Sanderson of Toston, MT, and two step-grandchildren, Kellie Hamlet (Tanner) of Deerfield, CO, and Shawn Zipperian of Clancy, MT, four great-grandchildren, Rhiannon Miller, Oliver Miller, Tuff Sanderson, and Sawyer Sanderson, three step great-grandchildren, Warren, Faith, and Nova, and sisters-in-law Susan Sanderson, Sharon Lewis, Myrna Sanderson, and their families. He will be missed by his family and community.
A Viewing will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Townsend. A Funeral Service is set for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Watson Event Center in Townsend with burial to follow the service at Radersburg Cemetery in Radersburg. A reception will be held at the Bunkhouse Bar in Toston following the burial.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 6, 2023
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 7, 2023
Watson Event Center
290 Litening Barn Rd
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the service
Thursday September 7, 2023
Radersburg Cemetery
Radersburg, Montana 59641
Reception
Following the burial
Thursday September 7, 2023
Bunkhouse Bar
8846 US-287
Toston, Montana 59643
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday September 6, 2023
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
212 Broadway
Townsend, Montana 59644
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday September 7, 2023
Watson Event Center
290 Litening Barn Rd
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the service
Thursday September 7, 2023
Radersburg Cemetery
Radersburg, Montana 59641
Reception
Following the burial
Thursday September 7, 2023
Bunkhouse Bar
8846 US-287
Toston, Montana 59643
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Lorrie Vennes says
Our thoughts and prayers are with. He was. “Gentle” man.
Gail and Lorrie Vennes
Jay stiner kitt says
Gordon will surely be missed by his family and friends
Brian Lee says
Much thoughts/prayers to you, Julie. Condolences as well to the family. A great legacy, a rich life.
Dave Rauser says
Gordon was a truly kind man and I always respected his way of life! Prayers to the entire family and my sincerest condolences.
Bill Lewis says
Dear Shirley – as a kid growing up I enjoyed listening to stories from Grandma Mary Lewis (Edina, Missouri) of how two of her sons – Junior and Jim – came to reside in the vast Montana mountains and surrounding areas during the late 1940s. Grandma had much love for her 9 boys and 3 girls – her birth children from 1909 to 1933.
My own father, Bill Lewis of Hurdland, Missouri, told the story of how his two older brothers left the family farm in Edina and proceeded on their westward way across the states. Together they purchased a motorcycle with sidecar and he said he always remembered watching them exit the family farm’s driveway and that’s the last he would see of them for some 20 years. My father was a stickler for memorials and when he was in Montana the last 10 years or so of his life he made a point of visiting Junior and Jim’s graves.
Shirley – please know your extended Missouri family thinks of you and yours often. We send our condolences to you and family on the passing of Gordon. – Bill Lewis Jr – Springfield, Missouri 417.493.6259
Valerie J. Hornsveld says
Shirley, Roger, Jeff, Julie and families,
My heart is holding lots of memories that I shared with all of you growing up ! Gordon was a very kind and gentle man whose smile lit up a room. May your memories make this time a little easier. Love to you all! Val Horne
Dana Rauser says
Condolences to the family of Gordon and Shirley. I will miss that Chevy pickup with a couple of round bale on it with Gordon and Shirley driving to feed cattle in Crow Creek. Gordon as the rest of family was a kind man .
Wes Kamerman says
I have very fond memories of this gentle and honest rancher, we could always seal a deal on a handshake. He was a fine man and a great carer of the land and his cattle. He taught his sons well on how to conduct their life, and I will miss him.