John C. Haldemann

John C. Haldemann, 93, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook, Mont.

The celebration of life will be on Saturday, June 17, at the Haldemann Ranch, Chinook. If so led, feel free to bring or send pictures and stories to share.

John was born to Arthur and Alba (Nielsen) Haldemann in Joliet, Ill., on Nov. 21, 1929. He was raised on their farm outside of Manhattan, Ill., along with his brother Pol. John graduated in 1947 from Joliet High School.

As a teenager John spent many summers in the sandhills of Nebraska. John started his love of ranching there, and learned so much about cattle, hay, and horses. He told many stories about sharpening sickles every morning and night so that he could cut hay the next day. He ran the swather up until he was 90 years old, and enjoyed every minute of it.

In 1954, the Haldemann family bought a ranch south of Chinook, where John returned to help run the ranch after leaving the Army. John was enlisted in the Army from 1954 to 1956. He told stories about the big machines he helped to repair. John loved his machinery, and he was always figuring out ways to make the tractors, pickups, and other outfits more efficient. John loved anything to do with engineering, and designing ways to make the ranch much more efficient. One of his dreams was to take our 1968 Dodge grain truck, and turn it into a six-wheeled truck. In his later years, John had his 1978 Chevrolet pickup restored, and would take it to car shows throughout the year. He also loved his antique tractors.

In the 1980s, John met Betty Visbeek. They married June 9, 1984. Soon after, they expanded their family by adopting two boys, Dale and John, and one girl, Alba, who were welcome additions to the children Betty brought to the union. John and Betty were married 36 years and provided a wonderful example of a God-centered marriage. Throughout their marriage they were good stewards of the land and animals God blessed them with.

John came to know the Lord in the early 1980s. He was very active in the Chinook Assembly of God Church for many years. He was part of the board, and was a participant in many other activities. In his later years, he was active in the Cleveland Church, where he faithfully attended church, rain or shine.

John was an active participant in the NorthCentral Montana Stockgrowers for many years; serving a term as president. John also was active in R-Calf, and was all about any ways to support the ranching communities.

John spent the last three years of his life at the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home. He thrived there, and attended all the activities, especially bingo. He was a calming influence to those he interacted with on a daily basis. The last few months of his life he spent time drawing up all his hopes and dreams for the ranch. One of the most creative ideas was to construct a dance hall on top of the root cellar.

John was preceded in death by his wife Betty V. Haldemann; parents Arthur and Alba Haldemann; Brother Pol Haldemann; son-in-law Frank Albano; and son John C. Haldemann III.

John is survived by his daughters, Alba Haldemann, Nomi Albano and Terri (Jake) Schuler; sons Dale (Pam) McAuley, Joseph Visbeek, and James (Janet) Visbeek; and sister-in-law Lynne Haldemann. John is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to be sent in honor of him to the NorthCentral Montana Stockgrowers for local projects, Chinook Assembly of God, or the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home.