Chris Ziegele, 69

Chris Ziegele of Suffolk, Montana died unexpectedly at the hospital in Lewistown on the morning of June 17, 2024.
Christopher Scott Ziegele was born Nov. 9, 1954 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, son of Paul and Janet Ziegele, and was raised on a farm in 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 other dialects and to portray a character. For this one outstanding dramatic performance he was named in "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, Montana 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 as well as 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. He 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 1990's he decided he wanted to buy a bar and, after much searching and sampling, he bought the "Trails Inn" bar in Winifred, Montana, 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 high school basketball, both boys and girls. He loved to take drives through the scenic country there in the Missouri River country and 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 "okay." Chris told many stories about cattle drives and brandings that he felt privileged to join, explaining the personalities of the horses he was given, the cattle, the food, the kids and funny incidents.
Chris is survived by his two older sisters, Nicola (Bob) Clyde of St. Regis and sons Matthew and Ted; and Paula Junttila and sons Erik, Travis and Adam. His five nephews were his pride and joy; he was always a hands-on presence and 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 and bar life. Chris is also survived by Matthew's wife Lori and their children Savana, Katie, Braden, Dustin and Lexi of Belgrade, Montana; and Adam's wife Mandy and their children Aiden and Anika of San Antonio, Texas.
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 the Christian fellowship. He looked forward to his weekly Bible reading to residents at a Lewistown extended care facility.
Appropriately, the daily devotional by 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 were Saturday, June 22, arranged through Creel Funeral Home of Lewistown.