Paul Louis Bickerdyke

ABSAROKEE - Paul Louis Bickerdyke, 74, of Absarokee, an Air Force veteran, died of natural causes Thursday at his home.
Cremation has taken place, and his memorial service is 2 p.m. Tuesday at Smith Funeral Chapel in Columbus.
Paul was born Dec. 7, 1934, in Belle Fourche, S.D., to Theodore "Teddy" Bickerdyke and Louise (Teigen) Bickerdyke of Capital, Mont. He grew up on the Bickerdyke Ranch in the Southeastern corner of Montana. He boarded with families in Ekalaka, Mont., and Lead, S.D., up through his high school education.
He served in the U.S. Air Force with overseas duty in Beausejour, Manitoba, Canada.
He married Rose Mary Hatleberg in Havre, Mont., on Dec. 20, 1955, and the newlyweds resided at his military post in Canada. Together they had four daughters, the first of whom was born in Canada.
Upon discharge from the Air Force, he resided on the Bickerdyke Ranch and worked as a ranch hand for a few years. He moved his family to Absarokee in 1963, and started up a repair shop. He also worked at the mine above Nye, and many years for Timberweld in Columbus, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, tinkering in his shop, and visiting with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Rosie Bickerdyke of Absarokee; two sisters, Theo (Bruce) Yanzick of Absarokee, and Ruth (Bill) Rosencranz of the Bickerdyke Ranch near Capital; three daughters, Lori Bickerdyke of Laurel, Nora (Steve) Klessens of Fort Peck, and Kim (Joe) Praster of Diamond Bar, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Christene (John) McDonnell, Jennifer (Brian) Johnson, Sara (Kelly) Collins, Michael (Carly) Klessens, Nathan (Joyce) Klessens, Benjamin Praster and Paden Praster; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant daughter, Mary Ann; and one nephew.
Memorials may be made to the Zane Yanzick Scholarship Fund, c/o United Bank, Absarokee; or the Absarokee Fire Department.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.