Norman “Ducky” David Zehntner of White Sulphur Springs passed away May 15, 2020 at Mountainview Medical Center. He was 96 years old. Ducky was born February 13, 1924 at the Zehntner family ranch in White Sulphur Springs to Reinhart and Dovie Zehntner. He grew up and graduated from White Sulphur Springs High School.
On December 10, 1950 he married Nora “Jean” (Niles) Zehntner. They were married 67 years before Jean passed away in 2017. They made their home and spent the rest of their lives in White Sulphur Springs.
Ducky worked as a ranch hand for most of his life, while also doing what he really loved “trapping”. Later in life he worked at the saw mill. After the saw mill closed, he continued to irrigate into his 80’s for Rose Holmstrom. He only quit that job when an accident with a ditch put an end to that career.
Ducky was known as an avid outdoorsman. He hunted and fished all his life, routinely bringing home very big fish. He was also quite the conversationalist. He could be spotted at the Truck Stop or other local restaurants having a cup of coffee with the locals or whoever came in. Ducky was an amazing artist as well, focusing on wild life. He particularly loved to draw pictures for any young kid esp. on those restaurant napkins. He was well known for being that bearded old man riding his four wheeler around the streets of White Sulphur. He had a love of music, sometimes playing drums at local bars in his younger years. He reveled at being in a video of White Sulphur Springs by Ben Bullington.
Ducky is survived by his daughter, Debbie (John) Hunt, and sons Ron (Becky) Zehntner and John (Becky) Zehntner, 5 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, his sister Julia Short, brother Howard (Carol) Zehntner, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Ducky was preceded in death by his wife, Nora Jean Zehntner, sons, David and Robin Zehntner, and grandson, Cade Hunt.
Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20th at Mayn Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 56645
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Mayn Cemetery
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 56645
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Barbara Cole says
So sorry to read this, but he had a life most of us could wish for, he was a happy person who spread is good will to all around him. One of the first friends I made in WSS in 1970. R.I.P. Ducky.
Smokey McAfee says
Goodbye Ducky. You can join Jean. You will not be forgotten. My condolences to Debbie, Ron and John and the rest of the clan.
Lissa Gabriels Bacon says
My dad Andy Gabriels was a good friend of Ducky. They could often be found at the Truckstop sharing their stories of their ranching and fishing. Ducky and my dad’s generation are about gone now. They were men to look up to. And We could all learn something from their love of life. I’ll miss Ducky!
Frank Moore says
We had the good fortune of meeting Ducky at the truck stop when we spent the night there back in the 90’s. We are from Arkansas and just happened to go in there to eat supper and met up with him. Such a great personality. We still have his photo with us here. RIP. Ducky.