Anthony "Dean" Jehowski

1934 - 2024

How do you capture 90 years of a joyous life in a couple paragraphs? Dean passed suddenly on November 13, 2024, leaving his indelible mark on all those lives he touched and with a full heart from all those who touched him. Born and raised in Pompeys' Pillar MT, upon graduation Dean found his way to Detroit Michigan where he completed his degree in Mechanical Drafting. He returned to Billings where he served in the National Guard, and to work for Shell Oil Company where he remained for 10 years, becoming a Senior Structural Designer. It was there he met and married Carolyn Jackson and they had four children, Michele, Tim, Melissa and Todd. It was there Dean pursued his passion for mounting small animals, spending all his free time perfecting his taxidermy skills, when he wasn't bow hunting with Michele and Tim, brewing beer and wine, or helping to build ice skating rinks in neighbors backyards. His interest in Taxidermy grew such that when Hank and John Lentfer decided to retire after 26 years of owning and operating Lentfer Brothers Taxidermy next door to Dan Bailey's, Dean apprenticed for two years then bought the business and moved his family to the big house on Yellowstone Street in 1964. It was there Dean spent the next 30 years creating world renown mounts for hunters all over the world, from Montana to Africa; mountain sheep to tiger rugs, gazelle to life size moose and grizzly bear, rainbow and brown trout to sword fish. Until his passing, Dean & his work was the last living person featured in Bill and Doris Whithorn's book: "Photo History of Livingston".

In June of 1976 Dean married Kathy Conter. They celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary reflecting on a life of adventure, travel and community service. Dean loved the outdoors in all its forms; from Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling with the family in Cooke City, cutting the family Christmas tree, to multi day bicycling tours with Melissa and Todd through Yellowstone Park. Golfing was a family affair, and Dean loved the game so much, he painted his golf balls orange so he could golf in the snow. After his retirement, Dean and Kathy were constant fixtures on the golf course; during those times they weren't riding their tandem bicycle, in preparing for tours or competition throughout the western US. Dean likewise ran two marathons, trained as a tri-athlete, and placed in triathlons well into his 70s. An avid hunter, Dean and Kathy loved spending weekends with the grandkids fishing the lakes on their pontoon boats, getting away in the RV or camping at the Sheep Wagons on the Stillwater. Dean was a member of the local Elks lodge where he served as Exalted Ruler in 1974. Active in many community events, Dean and Kathy sponsored a number of young people developing skills to successfully enter adulthood, and assisted elderly friends with their affairs so they could stay in their homes. Dean and Kathy are active members of St Mary's parish.

Dean is survived by his wife Kathy, his children, Michele of Monterey, CA, Tim(Cheryl) of Oxford, MI, Melissa of Livingston, & Todd of Scottsdale, AZ; Grandchildren, Wade Jehowski of Rochester Hills, MI, Jenna Jehowski of Minneapolis, MN, Chloe Jehowski of Scottsdale, AZ, Cavin (Nakai) Losett of Bozeman, Olivia Losett of Addy, WA; Great Grandchildren, Georgianna and Bradly Jehowski of Rochester Hills, MI. Dean is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister JoAnn.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Spring of 2025. To offer condolences visit www.franzen-davis.com.