Ned Summers

October 11, 1946 - June 17, 2024

Ned was born October 11, 1946 to Kirby and Gunvor (Lyken) Summers. He was the much-adored younger brother of Betty Lee and Hazel, who were 17 and 16 years his senior.

Ned went to country school where he was taught by his sister Hazel. Despite Hazel’s efforts, she was never able to fix his poor spelling. He graduated from Carter County High School in 1964 at the age of 17. He went on to college at Montana State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Botany in 1971. He spent more time than average in college because he helped at the ranch during winter terms, but his grandmother wondered (out loud) if Ned would ever finish. After undergrad, he went back to MSU for graduate education in Endocrine Physiology.

Although he was a menace on the city streets in a pickup, he obtained a pilot’s license and was a member of the Flying Bobcats club in college. He told stories of transporting a live bobcat in a plane to replace the school mascot.

After college Ned bought the family ranch where he took great pride in carrying on stewardship of the land. He was active in Carter County Sheep and Cattle Growers and Montana Stockgrowers. Ned married Patsy Doyle in 1981, a woman he loved so much that he converted his gun cabinet into a china closet for her. They had two kids, Steve and Hilary, who both claim that the other was the favorite.

The education of his children was important to him and he often wrote letters to the elementary school when he thought teachers were underperforming. High school biology classes were retaught with the correct information at lunchtime. On family trips, kids were required to pay attention as mountain ranges and landmarks were pointed out, and they were expected to identify them on the way back.

Ned had a special connection with the land in Southeastern Montana. He was a Western history scholar, amassing an amazing library of volumes that he read, studied, and referenced. He was especially interested in Lewis and Clark, and read his children bedtime stories from the journals. After the kids were raised, Ned took a significant interest in genealogy, researching and writing biographies about his ancestors.

Ned is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patsy, and his favorite children, Steve and Hilary. He is preceded in death by his parents and both sisters.

Memorials can be made to the Ned Summers Memorial Western History Library, c/o the Carter County Geological Society.