Steven M. "Steve" Elliot

Steve Elliot passed away on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at Aspen Meadows, due to complications from multiple sclerosis.

Steve was born in Billings, Sept. 6, 1945. He was the youngest of three sons born to Howard and Esther (Munter) Elliot. He attended Poly Drive Elementary, Lewis and Clark Middle School and graduated from West High in 1963. Following high school, Steve spent a year at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, Vt. In the fall of 1964, he enrolled at the University of Arizona, where he majored in English. While at the U of A, Steve was a proud Sigma Nu and served as president his senior year. He was also a cadet in the United States Army Reserve's Officers Training Corps and was appointed Second Lieutenant upon his graduation in the spring of 1968. He began law school in the fall of 1968 at the University of Montana and graduated in June 1971. He never missed an opportunity to say that he graduated from the best law school in the state! After graduation, Steve began his career at Norsworthy and Reger in Billings. Later, he became a partner in Wesco Resources. He spent his last working years in the family business, Elliot's Furniture Store.

While in law school, Steve met his wife of 35 years, Susan Rummel. They married in October 1972. Their son, Greg, was born in August 1980.

Sports were a big part of Steve's life, both as a spectator and as a participant. Steve's loves were skiing and golfing. He had many fond memories of time spent at their Big Sky cabin, skiing with family and friends. It was at Big Sky that he taught Greg how to ski and gave Susan lots of pointers. His golfing career began in 1954 at the age of 9. Steve was a member of the West High golf team and never forgot the year they went undefeated. He fondly remembered and loved reminiscing about the time he spent working at the Hilands Golf Club as a bag boy and later playing golf as a member of the Hilands. He spent many seasons cheering for the Arizona Wildcats and for his beloved Montana Grizzlies. However, when it came to loyalty, he was a beyond dedicated Chicago Cubs fan. When going to Chicago to see a game, he would tell everyone that he was going to "Mecca." Steve became a hockey fan when his son, Greg, started playing the sport in first grade. Little did he know then that he would be proudly watching him play for the next 17 years.

Every Wednesday, Steve looked forward to going to the Billings West Rotary Club meeting, where he would unmercifully harass the club's Bobcat faithful. He was honored to be named Rotarian of the Year in 1992.

Steve is survived by his wife, Susan; and their son, Greg; two brothers, Bill of Buffalo, Wyo., and Bruce (Margrit) of LaConner, Wash.; nephews Porter Elliot of Bozeman, and Lewis Elliot and Blair Elliot of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and niece, Julie Elliot. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard, and his mother, Esther.

When people think of Steve, they will undoubtedly remember, some more fondly than others, his irreverent sense of humor. But it was that characteristic that helped Steve to persevere with courage and dignity throughout the 32 years of health challenges that he endured.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

Steve was instrumental and enthusiastic in working with his law class to establish a scholarship in honor of their Dean. Should friends desire, memorial gifts may be made payable to The University of Montana Foundation and noted for the Class of 1971 Dean Robert E. Sullivan Scholarship in memory of Steve Elliot. Checks should be mailed to the UM Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807-7159, or call 1-800-443-2593 to make a credit card donation by phone in Steve's memory.