Gustav "Gus" Allen Yeska

Gustav Allen Yeska (Gus) passed away on April 14, 2021. He was born January 22, 1936 in Saco, Mont. to Arthur Robert Yeska and Ethel Mary Prehn Yeska. Gus attended school in Saco where he played 6-man football and graduated from Saco High School in 1953.

After high school, he went to work for the Great Northern Railroad. In 1961, he worked for several ranches. In 1962, he worked at the Great Northern Drill Company drilling oil wells. From late 1962 to 1970 Gus worked with his brother on the family farm south of Saco after their father passed away.  During that time, he met the love of his life, Della. They were married July 27, 1966 in Saco. In addition to ranch work, he helped keep numerous youths out of trouble by providing them with summer work and guidance.  In 1970, they bought Della’s childhood place on Frenchman Creek. He and Della worked side by side raising irrigated alfalfa, corn, barley, cattle and even a few pigs. Gus was a man of many trades; a job worth doing was a job worth doing correctly the first time. Over the years, Gus also moved haystacks as a side job and by his calculations he could have driven to Denver and back on his Minneapolis U.  Gus loved his 34-year career working for various gas companies servicing gas wells.  This job required he learn new technology including a palm pilot and laptop at age 65. For the past 30 years, Gus was the secretary/treasurer of the Frenchman Water User’s Association, dam tender and he was commissioner of the Frenchman Irrigation Company. He also served on the FHA board of directors for several years. Gus enjoyed following his kids’ and grandkids’ music, sports, and 4-H projects and made sure they grew up with a strong work ethic.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert, nephew Allen Yeska, father-in-law and mother-in-law Stan and Margaret Gartside.

He is survived by his wife Della, daughters Marie (Pat) Stavish of Missoula, Holly (Brad) Eaton of Terry, and Patti (Rob) Davis of Billings; grandchildren Chrystal and Mikal Mavencamp, Kyla Eisner, Abby Eaton, and Riley and Braden Davis and great-grandson McLain Eisner. His German exchange son, Andy (Tina) Becker and children Maria and Florian. He is also survived by his brother John (Marge) Yeska and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Robert, nephew Allen Yeska, father-in-law and mother-in-law Stan and Margaret Gartside.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Following the service there will be a reception at the GN.