Daniel E. Picard

 Daniel E. “Dan” Picard, 77, of Conrad, Montana, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls, surrounded by the love of his family.

Dan was born on March 5, 1948, in Williston, North Dakota, to Glendon and Mary Picard. The eldest of seven children, he was raised on the family farm north of Bainville, Montana, where his lifelong passion for agriculture began. In high school, Dan was active in basketball, Student Council, 4-H, and served as a State Officer in FFA, graduating from Bainville High School in 1966.

He went on to earn a degree in Agronomy from Montana State University–Bozeman, where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He later earned a master’s degree in Agricultural Finance from Oregon State University. While attending MSU, Dan met the love of his life, Marliss Urton, on a blind date — and it truly was love at first sight. They were married on June 13, 1970, in Great Falls, Montana, and recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.

Dan’s career in agriculture was as deep as his love for Montana’s people and land. He served as the Blaine County Extension Agent from 1970 to 1981 before moving with Marliss to the Knees Community north of Great Falls, where they farmed together for 25 years. In 2006, they moved to Conrad, where Dan served as the Pondera County Extension Agent until his retirement in 2013. Even after retirement, he continued to help his daughter and son-in-law with seeding, branding, and harvest.

Dan was a man of service, leadership, and faith. He served 25 years as fire chief for the Knees Community Fire Department, was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, chaired the church maintenance committee, and belonged to the Galata Gopher Brokers investment club, and he was on the MSU Western Triangle Ag Research Center advisory board. He also loved hunting with friends, fishing, visiting about agriculture, and being involved in his children's and grandchildren’s lives. He was always one of their biggest and most dedicated fans and supporters, celebrating their achievements in sports, 4-H, school, and every milestone along the way.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Marliss; his children, Carrie (Dean) Lerum of Galata, MT; Robert Picard of Great Falls, MT; and Kathleen (Peter) Barbie of Cut Bank, MT; grandchildren Caitlin (Lane) Gordon, Lane (Dacey) Lerum, Dayne Barbie, Hadley Barbie, RJ Barbie, and Bodie Barbie; and siblings Dave (Marsha) Picard, Chris (Dorothy) Picard, Anne (Steve) Hall, and Terry Picard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Mary Picard, and brothers Phillip Picard and Patrick Picard.

A Vigil Service, with a rosary to follow, will be held Friday, August 22, at 6:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Conrad, MT. The Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s, with a luncheon to follow. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montana 4-H Foundation or to your local fire department. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the healthcare workers at Logan Health, the doctors and nurses who worked closely with him at Benefis, and the staff at Peace Hospice in Great Falls for their care and compassion, with special gratitude to Dr. Baied and Dr. Gray.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Asper Funeral Homes.