Donald L. Rossmiller

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Don Rossmiller passed away, at the age of 82, on June 12, 2021. A Memorial Service will be held on SATURDAY July 24, 2021, at 11:00 AM in The Rose Room Chapel at Croxford Funeral Home.

Don was born on November 17, 1938, in Great Falls, MT, to Albert and Romaine Rossmiller.

He graduated from Dutton High School and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics at Montana State University.

Don was a 2nd Generation Farmer in the Knees Area north of Great Falls. He farmed there with his wife, Janet Rossmiller where they raised their two sons, Mike and Scott.  They divorced in 1977.  He married Carol Gordon in 1982 and in 1985 and 86 adopted their children, Jen, Chris, and Cindy.  Together they ran the family farm for many years, until their divorce in 2002. 

Don loved his farm, and farming, and would say “when you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”. True to his German heritage, Don was a hard worker, some would say a “workaholic” and a perfectionist.  He kept his machinery in top shape and his shop was a marvel of well-organized tools and equipment. He also was as frugal as possible with spending money on his equipment in terms of repairs.  Therefore, he taught himself how to do things like putting a new sprayer together, including all the complicated electronics and he rarely had to pay someone else to fix something. Like a lot of good farmers, he was part electrician, mechanic, carpenter, plumber, and businessman. His Ag business degree was a big help when it came to learning new marketing techniques like selling grain on the futures market. He actually enjoyed the challenge. If it was practical, he would use the most up to date technology that was available, like installing the first GPS system for farming in his tractor.  That had a huge benefit as it allowed him to keep farming for several years despite his failing eyesight. Later in life, one of his great passions was restoring antique 2-Cylinder John Deere tractors with his close friends Jerry Severson and George Gemar.  When he retired he began spending the winters in Arizona where he eventually moved, after reconnecting with his first wife, Janet.  They enjoyed being “Snowbirds” every year and made numerous friends who also migrated south in the wintertime.  Dad joined the Montana Men’s Club made up of other retired men who grew up and lived in Montana and always looked forward to a meal out with them.  Some of the men in the Club happened to be old classmates and friends of Dads back in Dutton High school.  Janet passed away in 2013 and Don continued to live in Arizona until 2020 when he moved back to Kalispell, because of his declining health and to be closer to family.

Don is survived by his older brother Ed (Molly) Rossmiller of England, children; Mike (Stacey) Rossmiller of Missoula, MT, Scott (Wendy) Rossmiller of Clarkston, MI, Jen (Cory) Olsen of Issaquah, WA, Chris (Nicole) Rossmiller of Kalispell, MT, Cindy (Zac) Barnhart of Billings, MT; and his 9 grandchildren.  

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Romaine; sister, Joyce Godzeski; and wife, Janet.     

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com.

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