Peter Yegen III

We lost one hell of guy on Monday, March 21, 2016, the first day of his 97th spring.

Peter Yegen III was born Dec. 28, 1918, at 306 North 30th Street, Billings to Peter Yegen Jr., and Zellah Cardwell Yegen. As a kid he was tethered to the side yard clothes line to keep him close and out of the way of the older kids going and coming from Fratt Catholic and Billings High. He loved to mix it up and was often in a tussle over something he did or said to them. He was forever quick with a comment and sometimes his wit was misinterpreted as baiting. His keen sense of humor helped him into and out of many situations.

Pete attended McKinley Elementary and was a proud member of his 4th grade harmonica band. He stayed with the harmonica all his life and could always play a tune when asked. During this time the local milkman, John Duff, had his good, well settled team ground ring tied on 3rd Ave. N. while delivering glass bottles of milk to the neighborhood. Pete's mischievous nature found him out by the team with a firecracker that he tossed under the horses. The result was immediate and the team took off just long enough to scatter bottles and crates down the street. "I beat it back into the house and got busy reading a book while Duff chased the team down the street. That was one mad Irishman."

His love of good horses lasted his entire life. Quarter horses, American Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds were his top choices. His Uncle Dave Yegen of Browning once had a deal with a military man to buy horses that could be ridden for 3 minutes. Dad and a couple of Blackfeet Nation boys rode and bucked off many hay burners during those couple of days. When relaying the story he had nothing but love and laughter for the experience. He worked for his cattleman grandfather, Edward Cardwell, as a kid trailing bulls from the Home Place out on Grand Ave up Zimmerman Trail to the 30 Mile Ranch north of Billings.

He graduated from Billings High in 1936, and attended the University of Montana for two years. He then became a cattle buyer. That experience introduced him to his future wife, Virginia Govern, who was running her father's livestock commission company at the new south side stockyards. They married less than a year later in the Saint Paul Cathedral, Feb. 15, 1940, a marriage that lasted 72 years until Ginny's death in 2012.

Pete joined the military after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and signed onto what became the last division of the U.S. Army horse cavalry, "The 7th Cav, Custer's old outfit." After spending time at several posts state side, with Virginia, he was deployed to Australia and she came back to Billings. There Uncle Sam bought the outfit 15,000 head of horses which, within weeks, were returned to their Aussie owners and the men were issued infantry boots. Most of his time was spent in New Guinea where he received a field commission as captain. He then ran a rifle platoon through the Admiralty Islands. Throughout his military career he was involved in intense combat. He didn't mention those horrors often but when he did he spoke of the good men with whom he served, many of whom never made it home.

Upon his return from the war to end all wars he was stationed at the Pentagon and Ginny went back to be with him. They were blessed there with the arrival of their first son, Peter Yegen IV.

When they came back home to Billings Pete cut the horns off his grandfather's prized registered Hereford cattle deciding that a commercial herd would work just as well since their value was, "by the pound." The horses and cattle were his passion. At the will of his mother and despite the resistance of his father, he kept the bunch together, scattered across Yellowstone and Stillwater Counties on family holdings. He then became involved with his father's real estate and insurance firm.

Pete and Virginia purchased the Rafter V Ranch in west Billings in 1950. In that location both of them were able to live their dream of having their own place and there they welcomed their second son, Charlie. It was the place where both of them were able to finish up their final tally and call it a life.

Papa was a character of the finest sort. He was quick with a smile and always had a comment to make on just about any issue. He and his mother forever bantered at holiday family gatherings and after Virginia died he often remarked, "I don't have anyone to argue with. I never won one with her but I sure liked trying!"

He was a terrific sportsman who loved to hunt ducks and geese and fish the Stillwater River with his Fenwick fly rod. He was keenly aware of local sports teams and always knew the standing of professional clubs and many individual stats. He skied, golfed, supported his sons' activities and was a true friend to whomever he met. He loved his grandkids, Brenna, Peter Charles and Patterson as well as his daughters-in-law, Carolyn and Anne. Since he was a perpetual motion machine they all had hours and hours of time with him working the cattle and enjoying one another's company at the drop of a hat. Times spent at East Rosebud Lake, sitting in the audience proudly supporting his progeny, on a road trip to Yellowstone Park or watching old movies were cherished experiences. He was a devoted member of the Albedo Shrine Black Horse patrol spending countless hours practicing and travelling the west to perform. He was a father figure to all friends of his boys even to the point that Craige Whiteley became a surrogate and well-loved third son.

He lived a long and rich life serving on the Yellowstone County Fair Board in the 1960's, as President of the Billings Association of Realtors in 1968, finally reaching the rank of Realtor Emeritus for his many years of membership and service. He loved automobiles and among his most prized possessions were a 1964 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible and a 1939 Cadillac V16 limousine.

Although deeply saddened by his passing the family asks those who might be so inclined, to think of him fondly, congratulate him on a job well done and offer a round of applause. There will never be another like him.

Peter was predeceased by his parents, his wife and his brother, Cardwell Yegen.

Peter is survived by his sons, Peter Yegen IV (Anne), their son, Peter Charles, Charlie Yegen (Carolyn) and their children Brenna Weaver (Chris), Patterson Yegen (Mia), great-grandsons Charlie and Sawyer Weaver and nephews Wayo Yegen (Karen) Bethesda, Md., and Robert E. Cardwell (Kim) of Evergreen, Colo.

Thanks to those people who have expressed condolences. He is gone but not forgotten. Pending services are intended to be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016.