Paul Ira Ledbetter ~ September 3, 1917 - April 15, 2010

Paul Ira Ledbetter, passed away at the Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City on April 15, 2010.

He was born September 3, 1917, in Sanders Montana, the third child of Joseph Fifer and Laura Evaline Reed Ledbetter. He joined the army in 1936 and was stationed at Ft. Snelling in Saint Paul MN. After being discharged he worked as a crane operator in Minneapolis but was recalled to active duty and stationed in Little Rock AR until after the end of World War II.

In 1947 he bought a farm at Kinsey and spent the next 30 years raising sugar beets, corn, grain, cattle and sheep. In 1952 he was the Montana State Sugar Beet Growing Champion for his highest-per-acre yield. He was a deputy sheriff for many years and loved playing on the Kinsey baseball team, hunting, playing cards and square dancing.  He enjoyed telling stories about growing up in Treasure county.

In 1976 he married Ruby Seabolt and they enjoyed many happy years until illness made it necessary for her to have constant nursing care. He moved to Miles City so he could visit her every day until her death in 1999.

Paul spent his last five years before retirement working at Ft. Keogh, a job he enjoyed very much. He was a resident of Eagles Manor for four years and often said how much he liked and appreciated the many friends he made there. Failing health necessitated his move to Holy Rosary Extended Care. He was known to his peers for his great spirit and humor.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Lee, Ivan and Francis and by three sisters—Ruth, Ruby and Dorothy. Mourning his passing are daughter and son-in-law, Lauretta and Glenn Richardson of Alberta VA and four grandsons—Glenn (Petra), Seth (Lisa), Ross (Tracy) and Kyle, and granddaughter Elizabeth. He had five great-grandchildren—Laurel, Walker, Nathan, Reed and Kyle—and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Ledbetter’s ashes will be interred in a short graveside service at the Hysham cemetery on Saturday September 25 at 11:00.  His friends are welcome to join the family for the service and for lunch at the Hysham community center after. Print this post