Severt Bud Rist
August 15, 1926 - July 29, 2022
Obituary
Severt, Robert “Bud” Rist, 95 of Billings, MT, graduated to glory July 29,2022 in Billings. After over seven years he is finally Reunited with Mom, Vonnie Marie, his sweetheart for nearly 65 years.
Bud was born August 15, 1926, in Broadview, MT. The son of Sigurd Mathias and Elsie Selma “Fuchs” Rist.
Bud and Vonnie met one special night on a double date. They were in the same class and graduated from Senior High School in 1945. On December 26, 1950, they were united in marriage at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings.
Bud spent the first five years of his life between Broadview and Lavina on the family homestead near Belmont. His memories of those early years included chasing after his big sister Ann, as she rode off to school on her horse. He could not catch her, but she would stop and pick him up and he would sit in the back of that one-room schoolhouse all day. It was there that he met his first and best friend for nearly 85 years, Leo Schraudner. Oh, the times those two had together! Let's just leave it at that.
In 1931, the family hitched the horses to the wagons and set out for Billings. Bud remembered helping his older brother John gather old wood and nails from a barn that had fallen in. They took as much as they could and used it to build a home on the north side of town. John was Bud's mentor for years, as he taught him how to be a carpenter.
After high school, Bud attended the University of Montana, and played football for the GRIZ. At 5'11” and 180 lbs he played defensive lineman; they wore leather helmets without face masks. After two years he transferred to Eastern Montana College in Billings where he played football, baseball, and was on the track team. At EMC he got his degree in Elementary Education. He also became the first head football coach for Billings Central High School in 1947, under the direction of Father Richard J. Hopkins. He would later earn a Master of Arts in Education from Montana State University. He was a coach, teacher, and administrator in many places including Carson City, NV, in Wyoming at; Lusk, Sundance, Gillette, and Fort Washakie three different times. He ended his education career in Fromberg, MT. Instead of retiring, in the summer of 1982, he and Vonnie moved back to Billings, bought a book bindery, and named it Americana Bookcraft. Along with their sons, they bound, repaired, and restored books there for 25 years and retired at the age of 80.
Bud and Vonnie were deeply devoted Christians to the Catholic Faith, and that Faith sustained them throughout their lives. Bud attended Mary Queen of Peace Church almost every Sunday and would say the Rosary every day.
Some very close friends that Bud had aside from Leo Schraudner…were Wally Stephens, Howard Kenna, Johnny Larson, Harold Davis, Ed Hunter, Swede Quam, Bill Hines, Bob Robertson, Bob Palmersheim, Albert Bauwens, and Steve Repac.
Bud is survived by his three sons, Matthew E. Rist of Deer Lodge, MT, Michael K. (Laura) Rist, and John Q. (DeLaine) Rist all of Billings. Four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Numerous nephews, nieces, and family members.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, and his beautiful wife of 64 years, Vonnie Marie. His brothers, Diego Van Elsen, John Van Elsen, and Andrew Rist, his sisters, Anna Marie Kennedy Burgo, and Ruth Ternes. Numerous nephews, nieces, and family members. And a very special sister-in-law, Monica (Van Elsen) Lang.
Cremation has taken place. Vigil will be held on September 11, 2022, at 7 pm, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memorial Mass will be held September 12, 2022, at 11 am at Mary Queen of Peace Church. Luncheon to follow with the burial at Lavina Cemetery in Lavina, MT. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Montana Rescue Mission or a local charity of your choice in Bud's honor. Please share memories, stories, or photos of you and Bud here on his tribute wall.
Bud was born August 15, 1926, in Broadview, MT. The son of Sigurd Mathias and Elsie Selma “Fuchs” Rist.
Bud and Vonnie met one special night on a double date. They were in the same class and graduated from Senior High School in 1945. On December 26, 1950, they were united in marriage at St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral in Billings.
Bud spent the first five years of his life between Broadview and Lavina on the family homestead near Belmont. His memories of those early years included chasing after his big sister Ann, as she rode off to school on her horse. He could not catch her, but she would stop and pick him up and he would sit in the back of that one-room schoolhouse all day. It was there that he met his first and best friend for nearly 85 years, Leo Schraudner. Oh, the times those two had together! Let's just leave it at that.
In 1931, the family hitched the horses to the wagons and set out for Billings. Bud remembered helping his older brother John gather old wood and nails from a barn that had fallen in. They took as much as they could and used it to build a home on the north side of town. John was Bud's mentor for years, as he taught him how to be a carpenter.
After high school, Bud attended the University of Montana, and played football for the GRIZ. At 5'11” and 180 lbs he played defensive lineman; they wore leather helmets without face masks. After two years he transferred to Eastern Montana College in Billings where he played football, baseball, and was on the track team. At EMC he got his degree in Elementary Education. He also became the first head football coach for Billings Central High School in 1947, under the direction of Father Richard J. Hopkins. He would later earn a Master of Arts in Education from Montana State University. He was a coach, teacher, and administrator in many places including Carson City, NV, in Wyoming at; Lusk, Sundance, Gillette, and Fort Washakie three different times. He ended his education career in Fromberg, MT. Instead of retiring, in the summer of 1982, he and Vonnie moved back to Billings, bought a book bindery, and named it Americana Bookcraft. Along with their sons, they bound, repaired, and restored books there for 25 years and retired at the age of 80.
Bud and Vonnie were deeply devoted Christians to the Catholic Faith, and that Faith sustained them throughout their lives. Bud attended Mary Queen of Peace Church almost every Sunday and would say the Rosary every day.
Some very close friends that Bud had aside from Leo Schraudner…were Wally Stephens, Howard Kenna, Johnny Larson, Harold Davis, Ed Hunter, Swede Quam, Bill Hines, Bob Robertson, Bob Palmersheim, Albert Bauwens, and Steve Repac.
Bud is survived by his three sons, Matthew E. Rist of Deer Lodge, MT, Michael K. (Laura) Rist, and John Q. (DeLaine) Rist all of Billings. Four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Numerous nephews, nieces, and family members.
Bud was preceded in death by his parents, and his beautiful wife of 64 years, Vonnie Marie. His brothers, Diego Van Elsen, John Van Elsen, and Andrew Rist, his sisters, Anna Marie Kennedy Burgo, and Ruth Ternes. Numerous nephews, nieces, and family members. And a very special sister-in-law, Monica (Van Elsen) Lang.
Cremation has taken place. Vigil will be held on September 11, 2022, at 7 pm, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memorial Mass will be held September 12, 2022, at 11 am at Mary Queen of Peace Church. Luncheon to follow with the burial at Lavina Cemetery in Lavina, MT. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Montana Rescue Mission or a local charity of your choice in Bud's honor. Please share memories, stories, or photos of you and Bud here on his tribute wall.
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Memories
A
Al
Other •
Mom always tell one thing about Mr. Rist is would not leave building at night with telling he was leaving for the day. He was very considerate man. Prewett Family
SR
Steven Repac
Other •
My condolences to Bud's family and to those of us that knew and loved him for so many reasons. During our almost biweekly talks, Bud and I would share numerous thoughts on many different subjects; he was the same age as my father, and he became a very special touchstone in my life. Bud was intensely devoted to his Christian faith and to his wife and family. I've never met another person that cherished his mate more than Bud did his wife Vonnie. He taught me valuable lessons that apply in my life. I shall miss my good friend, and hope to catch up with him someday "beyond the pale." May God richly bless you Bud! -- Steven Repac
PH
Paul Hines
Other •
We met the Rist family in Ft Washakie in the early 70s. Our parents would get together for cards and such and us kids would hang out. John Quintin and I found that bean poles made good pole vaulting poles and pole vaulted everything we could find one summer. A couple of decades later I was going through a rough patch. I spent a year working in Billings and Bud and Vonnie treated me like family. Bud’s birthday and my baptismal date were both on a Catholic feast day - August 15th, the Assumption. For a while after my stay in Billings Bud and I would call and catch up on that day. Bud was warm and friendly towards me; there was something unique and soothing about his deep voice and slow delivery that I’ll always remember. Rest in peace Mr. Bud Rist. I’ll send a prayer your way on the 15th. I could use one back:)
MM
Marla McCrocklin
Other •
Dear family, I worked as HS admin. asst. at Fromberg Schools when Mr. Rist was the Supt. What a kind, pleasant man! He received a complaint about me coming in late, I could tell he hated to say anything to me, but he had to! I responded and said “I bet the person complaining never mentioned how many times I stay 1/2+ hrs. late, never adding this time to my timesheet”. He just gave me a big smile, all was good 😊. A great boss! Condolences to you all. 🙏🏻💕 Sincerely, Marla Hill McCrocklin Fromberg