On May 21 st , 2020 we lost our beloved dad, grandpa and great-grandpa. For anyone who knew Tony, we all know this world will now be less full of BS! He was the KING!
Tony Degele was born on July 31 st , 1939 to John & Snodie (Saffell) Degele, the 9 th of twelve children. As a child, Tony loved to play sports and claimed to be the “favorite” son, although he could never get his brothers to agree. Tony spent 3 years in the Army and in 1960 he married Irene Garsjo. In his early years, Tony worked on the railroad in Billings before becoming a truck driver for Ryan Havre in Havre, Montana delivering groceries up and down the Hi-line. It was then that Tony met many, many people who became lifelong friends. In 1970, Tony moved his family to Glasgow to run the Husky Café. When that adventure ended, Tony worked for Elletson RV, Dick Fisher Motors and Newton Motors before remarrying and moving to Lewistown to work for Dean Newton Olds and owning his own Degele Auto and RV.
In 2010, Tony moved to Glasgow to be closer to his children and worked for Rock’s Auto Mall until he was 77. It was there he celebrated his 80 th birthday in 2019. He always said, “if I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself”. Tony was extremely proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his day was not complete unless he got to see any one of them. In return, his grandchildren found him hilarious and defined him as the “Gold Standard” meaning of “Grandpa”. He loved Fort Peck Lake and told many stories of taking his children and grandchildren skiing and tubing.
Tony is survived by his children, Rock (Jeanne) Degele, Rhonda (Dan) Bilbruck, Roberta (Charles) Hopstad. His grandchildren, Nathan (Taylor) Hopstad, Sheena (Jacob) Lund, Shawn Hopstad (Jessica Sonsteng), Natalie Hopstad (Josh Partridge) and Chaz (Taylor) Hopstad. His great-grandchildren, Hank and Porter Hopstad, Ava, Bella, Charlee and Dylan Lund, Silas Hopstad and Paisley Partridge. His brothers, Floyd (Chris) and Joe and his sister Clara Groover.
Tony also always had a special place in his heart for his many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren: Ashley (Luke) Nelson, Elliot and Avery, Jessica Vold, Erin (Jake) Aune, Aiden and Anders, Brianne (Will) Morgan, Brooks, Shannon(Spencer) Marsh, Mason, Travis (Teddi) Hopstad, Alesia, Reannah, Donde Fraser, Ecko and Ashur, Tyler(Samantha) Bilbruck and Danielle Bilbruck (Tyler) .
The Garsjo family was always his family too and we love that he was treated as one of them until the day he died. He loved you all very much.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents; brothers George, Paul, John and Jim; sisters Bertha, Daisy, Mary and Freda and great-granddaughter, Madison Faith Chatten.
There will be a potluck reception at Tony’s shop, 2 Kilty lane, starting at 5:00 p.m.