Alvin "Pal" Palmer

Alvin "Pal" Palmer, 83, of Mesquite, Nevada and Montana City, Montana, passed away Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at the VA Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, of natural causes. He was born Jan. 26, 1932, in Montana City to Al and Jo Palmer on his grandparents homestead. He married Kathleen O'Connell on Aug. 8, 1981, in Helena, Montana. She was the love of his life and his wife of 34 years.

Pal was raised in Montana City and surrounding areas. He attended Montana City Country School and Helena High School. His passion was rodeo, which he did from his youth until the 1980s. He held cards in numerous amateur associations in the northwest as well as being a gold card member in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. He won the Montana Rodeo Association steer wrestling buckle in 1963, on his black mare "Scooter". During that time he lived and ranched in the Helena Valley. He also owned a motel in Helena and a bar in Anaconda, Montana. He was a 50 year member of Local 41 Pipefitters and Plumbers in Butte, Montana.

Pal treasured the many friends he made during his travels. He enjoyed many outdoor activities such as golfing, boating, hunting and packing into the back country by horseback. During his first 20 years of marriage with Katie, they lived in Gallatin Gateway, Montana. While living there they traveled to Europe and attended many Navy reunions through out the USA. The last 11 winters were spent at their condo in Mesquite, Nevada. In 2003, he and Katie moved back to the family ranch in Montana City where they built a nice home to spend the beautiful Montana summers.

He is survived by his loving wife Katie; his sisters Jane Hahn and Gail Smith; his children Steve Palmer of Helena, Montana, Susan Plovanich (Tom) of Helena, Montana, Harry Palmer of Bay Pines, Florida, Shawn Palmer of Billings, Montana, Jennifer Palmer of Seattle, Washington; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a very special cousin Harry Hall of Meridian, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Jo Palmer and his grandson, Tommy Plovanich.

There will be a celebration of his "Life" on Aug. 6, 2016, at the home of Pal and Katie in Montana City. In lieu of flowers you may donate to Shriners Children's Hospital in Helena, Montana. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their "Guest Book" at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.