Eugene Soren Espeland

August 18, 1932 - December 9, 2024

"I've lived a wonderful life." Gene Espeland, veteran, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died on December 9, 2024, at Westpark Village in Billings, Mont., from cancer at age 92. Eugene was born on August 18, 1932, in Ambrose, N.D. to parents Selmer and Mabel Espeland. He and his siblings attended a one room grade school in McElroy, Mont., just down the road from where they farmed. He graduated from Westby High in 1950. He attended MSU-Northern for two years where, because he was tall, he was recruited by coach Ole Olafsson to join the basketball team, a sport new to him. Following a four-year stint in the Air Force, he married Barbara Hanson and returned to finish college at Eastern Montana College (Montana State Billings). They had three children: Joni, Max, and Kristi.

Gene's basketball career took him to Forsyth, Circle, Glendive and to MSU where he was an assistant coach to Roger Craft, then on to Great Falls High for many years where he coached the team to a State Championship in 1976, bookended by runner-up trophies in 1974 and 1977. For nine years starting in 1981 he was an assistant to George Karl with the CBA's Golden Nuggets. Thereafter, he and Barb trained and raced thoroughbred horses for many years. Eventually they moved to Billings, Mont., to be closer to their children. Athletic Director, Toby Kangas, invited Gene to coach the Billings Central Rams. Gene coached the Rams to their first State Championship in 1996. Along the way he was inducted into the MSU Billings Athletic Hall of fame and the Montana Coaches Association Hall of fame. Hundreds of his players learned that hard work resulted in success, not only in basketball but in life.

He and Barb enjoyed golf, both winning local tournaments. They were both successful realtors. Gene cared for Barb for a decade as she progressed with Alzheimer's to her death in 2014. Gene is survived by daughters, Joni (Steve) Harman, Kristi (Mike) Grob; and son, Max (Peggy); grandchildren, Leigha Waugh, Adam Harman, Ben and Krystal Harman, Kaleigh (Sean) Thompson, Holly Grob, Mallory Harman and Vince Nguyen and Dana Grob and Colton Espeland; and great-grandchildren, Teagan Lawson, Carson Thompson, Harlan and Grey Harman and Sen Nguyen. Two brothers, Sam and Dennis (Marilyn) and sisters, Marilyn (Jack) Adkins and Betty Aune survive him. Gene is pre-deceased by his parents; brother, Richard; and sister, Gladys Grimm.

A celebration of Gene's life will be held at Westpark Village, 2351 Solomon Ave., Billings, Mont., on Sunday at 3 p.m. The public is welcome. In lieu of flowers consider making a donation in Gene's name to the Westpark Employee Christmas Fund or Riverstone Hospice Care.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 13, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Espeland

Sponsored by Dahl Funeral Chapel - Billings.

8 Entries

January 3, 2025

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Dave Scott

December 26, 2024

So sorry for your loss and missing his services. I knew your father thru playing golf at Pryor Creek and a great person he was. A true gentleman and a joy to play with, always up beat and always competitive. And I recall the memories he wrote on the loss of his wife and your mother... It brought tears to my eyes and I think many others.... Again, so sorry

Doris Biersdorf

December 13, 2024

Kristi, Mike, Dana and Holly,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Doris, Jeff and Jennifer Biersdorf

Cori Hanel Munsell

December 13, 2024

My mother, Anna Mae Hanel enjoyed Coach very much while she was living at Westpark. They lived across the hall from each other. A special man that was a friend to Mom

Darryl Kathy Espeland

Planted Trees

Frank Dahl

December 13, 2024

Our thoughts, prayers and sympathy go out to the Espeland Family. Frank and Joyce Dahl Billings, Mt.

Jim Haugen

December 13, 2024

I´ve always thought the best compliment one can pay anybody after his/her passing is he/she was a really good person. Gene was that in an understatement...we became close friends and roomed together at EMC. Having known him over all these years in the many arenas of our lives bore out that he was one of the finest gentleman I´ve ever known. All his family has my most significant thoughts for a peaceful grieving. An old friend, Jim Haugen, Helena

Bill Crosby

December 13, 2024

He was a friend as were his brothers that I met and became good friends with during my 30 years of living in Billings from 1969 to 1997.

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