Gary Habets

Gary Habets, 85, of Ethridge, passed away peacefully at Logan Healthcare Shelby on January 5, 2026 after a long battle with cancer.

Graveside services will be Wednesday, January 14, at 1:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery in Shelby. A time of fellowship at The Griddle will follow the service.

Gary was born on July 31, 1940 to Louis and Alice Habets in Shelby, who farmed north of Conrad. He would be the 5th member of a team of nine. He attended school in Conrad and after graduating high school, went to work for Buttrey Foods in Conrad and later in Great Falls. After a short marriage to Karyl Minor of Conrad, Gary moved to Minneapolis, MN and worked various jobs and settled on driving for a Redi-Mix Company. He married Dawn Kozlowski in June 11, 1971. Together they managed apartment buildings. He eventually made the move back to Great Falls and continued with the same type of employment.

As Gary got older (not so much wiser) he found himself single and looking for something to do. He decided to move to Ethridge. There he helped his brother on his farm and help care for their aging parents. Gary remained in Ethridge for the next 25 years and enjoyed his peaceful life.

Gary liked his annual trips to Glacier Park for site-seeing and maybe a small hike. He enjoyed his 2 to 3 trips a week to Shelby for coffee time with his brother. He will definitely be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Alice Habets; brothers, Bill, Dennis, and Tom; and brother-in-law, Bob Guffin.

Gary is survived by his sisters, Nadine Guffin and Darlene (Jerry) Smithers; brothers, Keith (Toni), Sid (Janet), and Doug (Diana); and many nieces and nephews.