Walter Lee Boese — July 3, 1950 - November 18, 2025

    Walter Lee Boese, 75, of Deer Lodge, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Nov. 18, at Community Hospital of Anaconda.
    Walter was born in Detroit, Mich., on July 3, 1950, to Walter Henry and Dolores Patricia (Shattuck) Boese. He graduated from Fraser High School in Fraser, Mich., in 1968, and attended the University of Alaska from 1972 to 1973, pursuing a liberal arts degree, which included Police Science, Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology. 
In 1967, two crazy kids met, dated, and fell in love, and on Oct. 18, 1969, he married the love of his life, Gail Marie (Kleist). Together, they raised three incredible children, Todd Christian Boese, Shaun Patrick Boese and Kathleen Marie (Boese) Wyant. They were his greatest joy, and he would brag about each of them to anyone at any time!
    He was a true patriot and loved his country. He served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic from May 1970 until May 1976.
    Walter was also an avid sportsman, so in the early 80s, he moved his little family to Montana where he taught his children to love and respect the outdoors. He taught them how to camp, hunt, fish and actually read a map. Wonderful memories were made floating the Madison River, camping in Ennis every 4th of July, pheasant hunting with the boys in Glendive and teaching his daughter how to fly fish and actually tie her own flies at a very young age. He even taught his wife how to rifle and archery hunt, trap shoot and fish. One of his favorite memories was his African Safari trip that he got to take with his son, Shaun.
    He was a journeyman cabinetmaker, learning the trade from his father at Boese Wood Products. Later, he took great satisfaction in passing his love for the trade to inmates at Montana State Prison where he was the Industries Shop Supervisor from 1984 to 1995. He taught them all aspects of cabinet work and furniture construction so that upon release, they could get a good job. From 1995 to 2003, he realized his dream of owning his own company, High Country Furniture and Custom Cabinetry.
    Besides hunting and fishing, he especially enjoyed raising chickens, helping the 4-H kids with their poultry projects. In fact, he gave his grandson Wyatt a turkey, and that dang thing won Grand Champion!
    He was happiest at family get-togethers with his children and grandchildren, loved to cook and had a soft spot for his furry companions: Bear, Presley, Bruiser and Sailor, and treated each and every one like a valuable family member.
    Walter was predeceased by his father, Walter; his mother, Dolores; and his grandsons, Wyatt and Caleb Havens.
    Walter is survived by his wife of 56 years, Gail; their children, Todd Boese, Shaun Boese, and Kathleen (Kristopher) Wyant; three grandchildren, Alexandra (Keagan) Lyman, Riley Boese and Kayin Boese; siblings, Rita (Delayne) Johnecheck, Karen (Brent) Schaller and Mark (Janet) Boese; plus many cherished brothers and sisters-in-law, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
    We find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared and the memories we will cherish forever.
    A memorial service will be held at noon on Monday, Dec. 1, at St. John Lutheran Church, 410 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge. A luncheon will follow at the church.
    Memorials in honor of Walter are suggested to the Deer Lodge Food Pantry, 101 Milwaukee Ave, Deer Lodge, MT 59722 or to the Partnership for Animal Welfare Humane Society – “P.A.W.H.S.” - of Deer Lodge, PO Box 802, Deer Lodge, MT 59722.
    Please visit longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Walter.