Christopher Ziegele, 69

Chris Ziegele of Hilger, Mont., died unexpectedly at the hospital in Lewistown on the morning of June 17, 2024. Christopher Scott was born Nov. 9, 1954, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, son of Paul and Janet Ziegele. He was raised on a farm near Post Falls, Idaho, with his older sisters Nicola and Paula.

He played baseball, kickball, or basketball with his sisters and neighbor kids in the front yard and he liked to build treehouses. He played Little League baseball, and in high school, he played basketball and football. He was in a school play and took full advantage of his ability to imitate dialects and portray a character. For this one outstanding dramatic performance, he was named “Most Talented” of the Class of 1973. He worked summers moving water lines and other jobs for local grass grower Manny Schneidmiller. 

After graduation, he attended the University of Idaho for one year, then moved to St. Regis, Mont., to work for Gene Collins at the Husky Truck Stop (where the Travel Center is now). Chris liked this rural life and people and he stayed to put down roots. He coached boys’ baseball and high school basketball, both boys and girls. He worked in the lumber industry for many years and was a supervisor at Tricon Timber on the night shift. A big fan of the New York Yankees and Jimmy Buffett, he also enjoyed fishing, playing poker, men’s softball and league golf. In 1987, he organized “The First St. Regis Golf Tournament in Thompson Falls.” This was followed in 1988 by “The Second St. Regis Golf Tournament at Big Creek, Idaho.” Then, St. Regis acquired its own beautiful course. 

Sometime in the 1990s, he decided he wanted to buy a bar, and after much searching and sampling, he bought the “Trails Inn” bar in Winifred, Mont., 40 miles north of Lewistown where the pavement ends and you don’t venture out on the gumbo if it’s raining a lot. In his spare time, he continued coaching both boys and girls high school basketball. He loved to take drives through the scenic Missouri River country, highline roads, and wildlife refuges. A close friend remembers such a drive and how Chris pointed out the incredibly beautiful landscape all around them; the friend said something like, “OK.” Chris told many stories about cattle drives he felt privileged to join, explaining the personalities of the horses he was given to ride, the cattle and cattlemen, the camp food, the kids, and the funny incidents.

Chris is survived by his two older sisters, Nicola (Bob) Clyde of St. Regis and their sons, Matthew and Ted, and Paula Junttila of Post Falls, Idaho, and her sons, Erik, Travis and Adam. His five nephews were Chris’s pride and joy; he was always a hands-on presence and a willing coach in their lives. Chris married late in life at age 60 to Deanna McCann of White Sulphur Springs. They shared a common love of baseball, dogs, gardening and bar life. Chris is also survived by Matthew’s wife, Lori, and their children, Savana, Katie, Braden, Dustin and Lexi, of Belgrade, Mont., and Adam’s wife, Mandy, and their children, Aiden and Anika, of San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Roger Junttila.

In his sunset years, Chris took time to reflect and reconnect with his Maker. He spent hours studying the Bible and Christian literature and going to Bible study, where he received much support from Christian fellowship. He looked forward to his weekly Bible reading to residents at a Lewistown extended care facility. Appropriately, the daily devotional of David Jeremiah on June 17 was from Isaiah 46:4: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Funeral services for Chris were held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Creel Funeral Home. Chris’s family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com.