Rudy Wintermute

Rudy Delano Wintermute, 81, of Ekalaka, MT, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019 with Step daughter, Melanie by his side.

Rudy was born April 3, 1938 at the homestead near Alzada, MT to Virgil and Ella Wintermute. Rudy was raised and attended grade school there. Rudy attended high school in Belle Fourche, SD and graduated in May 1956.

In June 1956 he enlisted in the US Navy. He served his country actively for 20 years in numerous locations and assignments, including VAH-13/RAH-13, Heavy Attached Squadron 13 as a Chief Aviation Fire Control Technician and received several commendations for his outstanding service. He was transferred to Fleet Reserve and officially retired in 1976. Rudy continued his engineering career and also retired from Montana Power after several years.

Rudy married Barbara Teigen Buck in June 1988. After Rudy's retirement from Montana Power he and Barbara together managed and owned motels in Idaho, Wyoming and North Dakota. In 2002 they sold their motel in Crosby, North Dakota and "officially" retired to Aladdin, WY. In 2013 they moved to Ekalaka, MT where they resided until their respective passing.

Rudy was a man who enjoyed the image of rough and tough, but those of us who became his family and fondly called him "Grampa Rudy" were given the opportunity to see the soft side that he tried so hard to hide.

He is survived by his step children, Allan Buck of Ekalaka, MT and Melanie Hout of Douglas, WY; grandchildren, Raean Bilbrey, Colin Buck, Randi Hout, Nick Hout and Tancy McDaniel; great grandchildren, Jayni Bilbrey, Lexi Bilbrey, Athena Buck and Allan J. Buck III and sister-in-law, Norma Jardee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Ella Wintermute; wife, Barbara Wintermute; brother, Robert "Bob" Wintermute; step sons, Brian Buck, Tayler Buck and Randy Buck; grandson, AJ Buck II; step father, Lloyd "Bud" Jones.

Visitation and sharing of memories will be held Monday, July 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kline Funeral Chapel in Belle Fourche.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 9 at 11 a.m. at the Little Missouri Lutheran Cemetery in Capitol, MT.

An online video tribute and guest book is available at klinefuneralchapel.com.