Donald James Kuehn

Donald James Kuehn, 80 of Billings, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015.

The son of Frank August and Mary Irene Kuehn, Don was born August 8, 1934 in Red Lodge.

Don’s early years were spent growing up in Red Lodge, Montana. The family moved to Billings in the 1940’s, and Don eventually attended Billings Central Catholic High School in the late 40’s early 50’s. After High School, Don served for a brief time in the Naval Reserves before commencing a long and successful career in the insurance business. He worked hard to better himself, not just to be a good insurance agent, but to be the best insurance agent he could be. Over the years, his hard work paid real dividends – winning numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. One of the most rewarding aspects of Don’s insurance career, if not the most important aspect, was opening his own practice in which his son Michael eventually joined and carried on for a short time after Don retired.

All his life, Don was able to surround himself with those he was proud to call good friends. But for Don, family always came first. Don married Joyce Roselyn Churchill on November 21, 1953. He was a loving husband and father, a good provider, a mentor who set solid examples of how to live in this world – how to treat others, how to earn and when to give respect, the value of truth, honesty, and loyalty. Sometimes coach but always the endearing fan, Don loved to attend the athletic events of his children and grandchildren, and he was never shy about demonstrating support and offering helpful advice.

He was meticulous in his attention to detail, and no project was done until it was done right, whether it was his attempts at artistic creation by dabbling in watercolor, oil paintings, and woodcarvings, or his approach to yard-work. He didn’t just love working in his garden, he was truly proud of his work effort and the results it produced.

Of course, his greatest creation was the family he forged and the legacy that is theirs to pass on. We all loved him and he will be forever in our hearts, but also in the lives we live.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Frankie Kuehn and Billy Kuehn, and his son Michael Kuehn.

He is survived by his wife Joyce, children, Frank William Kuehn, John Wesley Kuehn (Kaylin), and Mary Kay Heckel all of Billings, Candace Louise Evans (Henry) of Sioux Falls, SD and daughter-in-law Shauna Kuehn of Billings, his sister Katherine Jane Kuehn of Bozeman and grandchildren, Travis Heckel, Brandon Kuehn, and Erika Kuehn of Billings and Luke Evans and Maria Evans of Sioux Falls, SD.

Cremation has taken place. Vigil service will be 5:30pm Tuesday at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. The Funeral Mass will be 10am Wednesday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pam, Amy and Amber from Riverstone hospice for the loving care given to Don.

Memorials may be made to Riverstone Hospice.