Marvin C. Kostelecky, 79, of White Sulphur Springs died Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
He was born on April 18, 1944, to Mildred and Charles Kostelecky in Dickinson, N.D. He went to many schools during his lifetime including White Sulphur Springs.
He was drafted into the Army in 1967. During his tour of duty, he was wounded and received two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. After returning home, he met Fran Van Dyke. She brought into the family a son, Deon. Together, they had together two children, Kandi Mil and Karson Ray. They lived in the farming area of Ryegate and Rapelje. They divorced in 1976.
In 1976, he met and married Phyllis Ball, she came into the family with two children, Spencer and Lonnele. He was able to work for many different ranchers across Montana from Colstrip to Malta, Plentywood to Dagmar. He and Phyllis had a son, Kevin Charles. During their marriage, he found another daughter, Stacy. In 1992, they divorced.
He then met Yvonne through his brother, Randy, and Randy’s wife, Connie, who is Yvonne’s sister. They married on July 16, 1993. She brought into the family two daughters, Sheila and Roberta.
They worked on many different ranches together across Montana including Bainville and Shonkin. He also worked at the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Ranch in Douglas, Wyo., where he was able to drive teams of horses to feed with and to pull different kinds of buggies. They moved to WSS in 2010 and retired. Once again, Marvin was able to farm and ranch part time for Castle Mountain Ranch and for Jock & Jamie Doggett until his health became poor.
He loved to watch his children and grandchildren play sports. He also loved watching the WSS Hornets and the Montana Griz.
During his life, he was able to rodeo and even won a saddle at the NILE. He loved being a cowboy and driving a tractor.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Yvonne; children, Deon, Stacy, Spencer, Sheila, Kandi, Lonnele, Roberta, Karson and Kevin; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; four brothers, Dennus of Wilsall, Randy of Columbus, Doug of Billings and Francis of Billings; and one sister, Coleen of Aurora, Colo.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Duane Kostelecky; one sister, Audrey Edwards; and one great-granddaughter, McKinley.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Yoked Parish of First Presbyterian and American Lutheran Church in White Sulphur Springs. Burial followed the service at Mayn Cemetery.
