Phyllis L. Sethre
Phyllis L. Sethre was born on Aug. 10, 1945, in Williston, N.D., to Oscar and Lucille Olson. She passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2023, in Billings, Mont.
Phyllis was raised on a farm north of Culbertson, Mont., and attended the Mc-Cabe Country School until the sixth grade. Her family then moved to Sidney, Mont., and she graduated from Sidney High School in 1963.
After a brief time as a social worker, she graduated from Montana State University in 1969 with a degree in agriculture business management. She began her career as an agricultural loan officer in Great Falls, Mont.
In the winter of 1977, she met Gary Sethre in Great Falls and they were married six months later. They returned to his family farm north of Wolf Point and together they built and enjoyed a successful farming operation for the next 45 years. During this time, she also acquired her real estate appraisal license and opened Sethre Appraisal Services. Appraising took her all across northeastern Montana and she thoroughly enjoyed the work and meeting people.
Phyllis believed in volunteering in her community. She invested her time in many organizations including 4-H, the Roosevelt Country Fair board, the Montana Republican Party, First Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary and the Theodore Roosevelt Foundation. She was honored to be named Grand Marshal of the Wild Horse Stampede in 2019 along with her husband. She loved to be on the road for work and pleasure. Gary and Phyllis enjoyed many trips to Medora, N.D., Hostfest in Minot, N.D., and spending time in Oregon to see her grandson’s school and sports activities.
Phyllis was survived by her husband, Gary Sethre of Wolf Point, Mont.; daughter, Heather (Jacob) Stefanik and grandson Luke of Beaverton, Ore.; brother, Peter (Donna) Olson of Culbertson, Mont.; brother, Steve (Monica) Olson of Kannapolis, N.C.; brother, Mitch Olson of Sidney, Mont.; and many dear friends and family including Lora Davis who she considered a sister.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters-inlaw, Carol (Sethre) Pomeroy and Joan Olson.
A memorial service will be held later this summer in Wolf Point, Mont., on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Montana 4-H Foundation.
(Paid Obituary)
