Robert Molvig

Robert Molvig, of Tampico, Mont., passed peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Besides his parents, Agnes and Chris Molvig, he was preceded in death by his two older sisters, Dorothy Kolstad and Carol Kreer. His surviving siblings are Alyce Tracy, Charles, Donna Whittle, Kenneth, and Rick. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services are planned for late Spring 2025.

Robert was THE definition of a family farmer. Other than his military time, he spent every day dedicated to the Molvig family farm. Through harsh weather, howling winds, too much snow, too little rain, crop-destroying hail, midnight calving, and sitting on ice-cold metal tractor seats, Robert got up every day--every single one--and worked the land and cattle.

It takes a special family to create a farm on the wind-blown prairie of Valley County. Robert's parents---Agnes and Chris Molvig---along with their eight children, have kept it operating nearly a century. It was those family farms and those salt-of-the earth types who built Montana.

Robert was born Oct. 26, 1936. He was born with the traits of hard work and dedication, Montana-tough. No wonder, though, considering a February 1936 conception: four successive days of -50F, and two others of -49F.

That weather toughens.

He attended Tampico School and its many functions and then was graduated from Glasgow High School. He was involved in Farmer's Union activities and in 4-H. He was one of 18 statewide to participate in the 1955 Grain Marketing Tour.

His graduating class at GHS included Ronald Helland (Glasgow Courier), Orville Fossum (Fossum Ready Mix), and Wayne Dale (Dale Plumbing), all who left lasting businesses in Glasgow. There are many more familiar names from that exceptional class, a few still alive.

He served in the USAR (U.S. Army Reserve) until his honorable discharge in December 1965 with the rank of Sergeant E-5. His basic training at Fort Ord, Calif., was the only time he left Valley County for more than a few weeks for the rest of his life.

As the years passed and a host of young nephews and nieces arrived, Robert became their trainer, a tough taskmaster. They all found out that he really cared that they worked hard, did the work well, and did not get hurt doing it. They knew the gruffness was out of love, although they may have questioned that when he got them up in the middle of the night to help him move irrigation tubes. Every one of them carries fond memories. When they are together, they laugh and repeat his fun sayings he would sing to them, including "It's nice to get up in the morning," when the last thing they wanted to do as a kid was to get up early!

Robert loved living in rural Tampico. He was a regular at the stockyard sales and didn't mind enjoying a beer or two at one of the Front Street bars following. He truly enjoyed the big family gatherings at the Flesjers, Kirklands, and Nelsons, or when they all came to the Molvigs, a tradition that remains strong many decades later, including the poker sessions. All of them enjoyed the visits from the Norwegian Cousins.

As he aged and slowed, Robert would sit and watch Rural Farm Network, keeping abreast of the ever-changing nature of farming. He liked to see what was going on with the land and cattle and truly enjoyed the Sunday drives with Mike Molvig. He also liked catching up on the neighbors.

The point came when Robert had finally worked enough, and he spent the last years of his life resting at Valley View, Glasgow. No man deserved it more.

Robert Edward Molvig had led a good life. Though he has left, our memories of him will not be forgotten.

Online condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymontana.com.