Dean Lenord Schillinger

Dean Schillinger, age 78, of Circle.

April 16, 1947 – February 4, 2026

Dean Lenord Schillinger was born on April 16, 1947 and passed away on February 4, 2026 from natural causes. He was born to Clyde Schillinger and Monica Rogers Schillinger. He grew up in Billings, MT and spent his entire adult life farming and ranching north of Circle, MT.
During his elementary school years, Dean attended parochial school in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1966. After high school, he attended Northern Montana College in Havre for one and half years, majoring in Ag Business. As many men did at this time, Dean enrolled in the Montana National Guard in 1969. He often spoke of his time at Ford Ord in California, while he attended basic training. He was a farmer at heart from the very beginning of his teenage years until his retirement in 2023.
He married Laraine Loney on November 10th, 1973. They had a son, Tanner born in 1987, and a daughter, Kali born in 1989. Dean enjoyed his family and spent hours on the road cheering on both kids during their high school sport careers as Circle Wildcats. He also followed them on the rodeo trail as time permitted from work on the farm and ranch.
Dean was on the McCone County Soil Conservation Board for numerous years and helped establish the National Farmers Organization board locally. He dedicated a lot of time to helping others and himself improve farming practices in Eastern Montana and gained insurmountable knowledge on soil conditions, crop rotation, and weather. He was known as "the local weatherman" by many neighbors and friends. Dean also cared greatly for his animals whether it be cattle, horses, dogs, or cats. He enjoyed spring the most when all the new babies arrived at the farm. He was often followed around the farm by a train of dogs or cats. Dean enjoyed his animals, but enjoyed being a grandfather the most to his three grandchildren and will be greatly missed by them.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Monica Schillinger, his in-laws Ross & Helen Loney, his oldest brother and sister-in-law Leon & Robin Schillinger, his youngest brother Joseph Schillinger, and his brother-in-law Duane Ankney. He is survived by his wife Laraine Schillinger, son Tanner Schillinger and his family Elizabeth, Abe & Bella Smith, his daughter Kali Foulger and her family Nathan and Sylvie Foulger, his sister Carol Ankney, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers the family asks to please donate to the Redwater Ambulance Services or the McCone County Volunteer Fire Department.