Ted Schlepp

THREE FORKS - A great man fought his final battle on Sept. 4, 2010, and now is in a better place, pain-free and walking and talking with our God who loves us more than anything.

Ted was born April 2, 1947, in Miles City, the youngest child of Theodore and Mary. After graduation from Custer County High School, he attended college until he joined the Army. While serving in Vietnam, he was wounded and spent three months in the hospital in Japan. He received a Purple Heart with a "V" Device and a Bronze Star.

On Sept. 27, 1969, he married the love of his life, Betty Waldhauser. He always told her he was the best thing that ever happened to her and he was right, as they shared 41 wonderful years together. They had two sons, Jason (Andrea) of Moorhead, Minn., and Steven of Butte. Jason gave him three precious grandchildren, Jennifer, Kara and his namesake T.J. (Theodore Jason). They truly were the light of his life and he loved being a grandpa.

When he moved to Three Forks in February of 1972, he became active in small-town politics and served on the city council twice. Once in the 1980s for 10 years and again for four years in 2001. He also was very active in the Three Forks United Methodist Church, serving on many committees, including PPRC, Ad Council and Chairman of the Trustees, along with singing in the choir. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed auctions, and rarely missed one in the last few years. He retired from Rocky Mountain Supply in Belgrade in 2003 after 32 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Mary Ida Olson Schlepp; and his wife's parents, Francis and Mary June Maltby Waldhauser; and brother-in-law Larry Woodall.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; sons Jason (Andrea) and his family, and Steven; brothers Karl (Pennie) of Laurel, Vern (Kathy) of Miles City; and sister Shirley (Laverne) Woodall Leuders of Buffalo, Wyo.; and brothers-in-law George Waldhauser of Arizona and Edward (Tonya) Waldhauser of Billings; and sisters-in-law Peggy Waldhauser of Billings and Bobbie (Jerry) Koch of Billings. Also numerous nieces and nephews, along with many dear friends, including his faithful little four-legged girlfriend Sadie.

Ted's gentle spirit and kind ways will be greatly missed by everyone who loved and cared about him. No one could be a better husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother or friend.

A special thanks goes to all the doctors, nurses and staff at the VA Hospital in Denver and Helena, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, Mountain View Care Center and Rocky Mountain Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the Three Forks United Methodist Annex floor project.

A graveside service with military honors will be held Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 4 p.m., from the Fairview Cemetery at Three Forks and a memorial service will follow Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from the Three Forks High School Gym with Rev. Linda Fritz officiating. Viewing will be held Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the K&L Mortuary Chapel at Three Forks.