Philip Burton Seaholm

1929 - 2025

Longtime Grass Range rancher, Philip Burton Seaholm passed away at the age of 96 on February 10, 2025 at the Valle Vista Nursing Home in Lewistown. He was born on January 8, 1929, to Albert and Mabelle (Moore) Seaholm in Grass Range, Montana.

Phil attended Pine Ridge Country School for grades 1-8. He and two brothers, Marlin (b. 1930) and Norman (b. 1932), walked or rode horses to and from school, and he had fond memories of his schoolmates and of the experiences he had in this little country school.

According to Phil, he began helping his dad with the ranch work at age seven. He was the oldest child and was a tall, strong boy. Phil had deep affection for his parents and his brothers throughout his life.

Phil attended high school in Grass Range. He was a good student and participated in all activities including basketball. He was a member of the successful team called, "The Coachless Wonders!" His schoolmates remained his life-long friends. Phil graduated from high school in 1946. On that year, his younger brother, Earl was born.

Phil attended Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois after high school for one year (the longest time he ever lived away from Grass Range), and he became an electrician.

He returned to Grass Range and worked for a time at the Roy French Motor Company. He fell in love with Mary Ione French, and they were married on August 5, 1950. The couple lived in Grass Range for a brief time, then moved to the ranch when Phil's dad, Albert, retired due to poor health.

Phil started ranching with a small herd of Hereford cattle that he fed hay with a team of horses and a wagon. Over the years, he increased the size of his cattle herd and was one of the first few in the area to switch over to all Angus cattle. He also raised sheep and farmed grain and seed crops over the years. He was devoted to the ranch and had a great interest in improving it. Phil was a tall man (6'5") and very strong. He had the huge hands of a hardworking man!

Children, Valerie, Tena, Nora, Roy, and Albert came along in 1951, 52, 55, 58 and 66. When Phil and Mary were in their mid-thirties, they built a new home. Phil did the carpenter work with the help of Ole Olson, good friends and neighbors. Mary did the interior design and painting. The family moved into their new home in 1965, and six months later baby, Albert was born.

Phil and Mary played in the neighborhood pinochle club with a special group of friends for 30 years. He was a life member of Masonic Lodge. He was a Grass Range school trustee when the new school was built, and area country schools consolidated. He was a member of the Pine Ridge Community Club and also loved getting a game going of bridge, cribbage, or pool. He proudly supported his children and grandchildren in all activities including 4-H, rodeo, drill team, sporting events and their education.

Grandchildren, Tucker, Krystal and Melody came to live with Phil and Mary in 1990 after the death of their mother, Nora. The children spent some of their formative years on the ranch, and each graduated from Grass Range High School (4th generation) and colleges.

All of Phil and Mary's children and grandchildren were blessed to have these two people in their lives. They were kind, honest, hardworking, generous and very loving people who did their best to raise eight children. All eight will say that they had a great childhood on the ranch.

Phil and Mary celebrated their 25th anniversary in 1975 with a large party at the ranch, and their 50th wedding anniversary with a larger party in 2000; when over 200 friends and family members descended on the ranch from near and as far away as Sweden!

Phil's life was not without tragedy, as he lost his daughter, grandson and son-in-law all at very young ages. His son, Roy, was badly hurt in a car accident. But Phil managed to go on with his life and keep looking forward. He was never one to focus on himself and was very matter of fact in dealing with things as best he could.

Phil worked on the ranch until he was 88+ years old, often feeding cattle with the pickup and round bale arm. He enjoyed "socializing" with the patrons, staff and neighbors at the Little Montana Café and Wrangler Bar. He remained living at home on the ranch until five months before his death; mostly due to the care and attention from his son, Roy, with help from his other children, grandchildren, and Home Care Services.

Philip is survived by his brother, Earl of Billings; children, Valerie Espinoza of Arlee, Tena Kozub of Lewistown, Roy Seaholm of Grass Range, and Albert (Darci) Seaholm of Grass Range; grandchildren, Krystal (Brian Lutz) and Melody Montgomery, Kimberly, Lindsay, Karson (Alex) and Nick Kozub, Phil (Sarah) and Rafe (Robyn) Espinoza, Caden and Bailey Seaholm; step-grandchildren, Jan Garrison, Johnna Cisneros, and Jill Christensen; great-grandchildren, Rae, Quinn, Gram, Kash, Nayara, Maci, Weston, Lily, Dillon, Jaylyn, and Alli.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Ione; daughter, Nora; grandson, Tucker; mother and father, Albert and Mabelle Seaholm; brothers, Marlin and Norman Seaholm; sons-in-law, Larry Witschen and Dib Espinoza; special life-long friends, Bill Finkbeiner, Willes Olson and Bob French; and many more good friends and special relatives who passed on before him.

Visitation will be Friday, February 21st, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Creel Funeral Home in Lewistown, Montana. Funeral services will take place at Creel Funeral Home, Saturday, February 22nd, 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Grass Range Cemetery followed by a dinner at the Wrangler Bar in Grass Range.

If you wish, memorial donations may be sent to the Grass Range Fire and Ambulance Dept., 607 Main St., Grass Range, MT 59032 or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Phil's family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com