C. Wendell Lovely, 89, of Wilsall, Montana, passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at his home. A Funeral Service will be held 1:00 P.M., on Monday, June 1st, at American Lutheran Church in Livingston, a time for viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the Church. Graveside Committal Service and burial will be at the Wilsall Cemetery with a Masonic Service with Ned Zimmerman leading and Veteran’s Honors, which will be provided by Park Post #23 American Legion and Active Duty Army Honors Team. Fellowship will follow in Wilsall at the Shields Valley Elementary School. Memorials are preferred to: Shields Valley Lutheran Church, PO Box 327; Wilsall, MT 59086, Cowboy Hall of Fame, PO Box 1569, Big Timber, MT 59011 or Shields Valley Athletics, PO Box 40 Clyde Park, MT 59018.
[EasyDNNGallery|1963|Width|350|Height|350|position|left|resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|False|redirection|False|LinkText||]Wendell Lovely's Biography from the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame
At 7:00 a.m. every morning, Larry Lovely calls his dad, Wendell, to see what is on the agenda for the day. Wendell usually says “Putting out salt, haying, baling, checking cows and of course coffeeing-up in Wilsall.”
Wendell was born on September 27, 1925. He grew up on the family ranch with two brothers Orvis and “Kenny” and two sisters Joan and Patsy. Their home was just seven miles from Wilsall where Wendell and his siblings created years of good, interesting, exciting and cherished memories. The kids would ride two per horse to the Cottonwood School where four generations of Lovely’s have attended.
Aside from their daily ranch chores, the boys would cut logs in the mountains, load them on a sled and drag the sled seven miles from home to Wilsall. The logs would season, and then in the spring the community of Wilsall would have a sawing bee to process the logs.
In a snowstorm, the trip from home to town could take up to three hours on horseback. Wendell took to boarding with friends in Wilsall because being late for school or supper was not something that he fancied.
After graduating he enlisted and served during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Wendell joined the United States Army at the same time his brothers signed-up with the Navy. At one point during the war, all three brothers were fortunate to be united in Pearl Harbor for a short visit. Wendell returned home to the ranch and land he loved. There he traded his military uniform for his jeans.
Shortly thereafter, Wendell met his wife, Norma Busby, a school teacher who became the love of his life. They were soon married and had three children. Jan, Larry and Cheryl grew up on the ranch. There they lived, learned and cherished ranch life, as their family had done for generations. All three went on to become ranchers. Wendell’s son, Larry, has remained on the home ranch, and with his wife, has raised two more Lovely boys. The Lovely Ranch is 121 years old. Wendell has the original deed signed by Theodore Roosevelt.
Wendell has long been involved in his community, church and lives of the people of Wilsall and enjoys a good game of Pitch twice a week down at the old post office now known as the PO Liquor Store. He is active and served as Secretary of the Montana Shorthorn Association, and to this day continues to buy, sell, judge and show cattle. Wendell looks forward to spring’s work where he still farms with his son.
A competitor to the core, Wendell, does not care for losing. Whether in the show ring, watching his kids and grandkids compete in sports or enjoying his favorite NFL team on television losing always seems to make the feisty competitor in him come to life. You can see him shaking his trademark bent pointer finger at referees, judges, and any other so-called deserving person.
After his years on the ranch, experiencing the highs and lows of the business, one of Wendell’s most noted sayings is “Ranchers live somewhere out in next year country”. Apart from raising his family, he says of life, the reward is watching calves and planted seeds grow.
At 88 years young, Wendell volunteers, by taking meals on wheels to the elderly in Shields Valley, remarking “I gotta’ take food to the ‘old people’.”
Obituary
Wendell was born in Livingston, Montana on September 27, 1925 to Bryan and Clara (Hogenson) Lovely. He spent his early years at the Cottonwood School and graduated from the Wilsall High School in 1943. He then enlisted in the army. After his service, he came back to work on the family ranch. He met and married the teacher of the Cottonwood school, Norma Busby June 26, 1949. After they were married, they took over the ranch and began their family. They were blessed with three children, Janice, Larry and Cheryl.
Wendell was very proud of his shorthorn cattle and was a true cow man. He and others of that era truly formed the cattle industry. Wendell judged many of the most prestigious shows in the country and in Canada. He was especially proud of judging at the Denver Stock show.
He and Norma moved off the ranch in 1979. He continued to be a cattle buyer, consultant and farmed up until his death. Dad enjoyed his family, music, hunting and especially a good potluck.
Wendell was a member of the Park Lodge 140, Shields River Lutheran Church, Vets club, Park County Pioneers and served on the Park Electric Board for 36 years. He also served as president of the Basin Electric and on the Board of Adjustments. He also loved golf and played as long as he could. He was proud to have been inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2014. He delivered meals on wheels and truly loved the Shields Valley sports and watching all his grandchildren’s events. He rarely missed a game.
Wendell is survived by his: Daughter, Jan French of Hobson, her children, Sigrid (Brendan), their children, Ashton and Lauren Deegan, Garth (Kari), their children, Peyton and Olivia French, all of Hobson; Son, Larry Lovely and his wife Valerie of Wilsall, their children, Bryan (Lisa), their children, Jace and Avalyn Lovely of Puyallup, WA, Kurt (Jenny), and their son, Camden Lovely of Rodgers, AR; Daughter, Cheryl Robinson, her children Jaime (Levi), their children, Kathryn and Mackinley Nelson and Eric (Juliana), their children, Abigail and Acesa Robinson all of Wilsall. Sister, Joan Kepler of Billings. Wendell’s extended family includes, Buck Busby, Genevieve Dorval, Willard and Norma Busby, Wanda Melin, Harriet Lovely and Irma Lovely.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 61 years, Norma Busby, his brothers, Kenneth and Orvis Lovely, sister, Patricia Peckenpaugh, grandson, Brock French, and sons-in-law, Kelly French and Russ Robinson.
A Life well lived.
Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be shared at Franzen-Davis.com.
Source: Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and the family of Wendell Lovely
Courtesy photo provided by Jaime Nelson
