Larry Surber

Larry Surber, 78, passed away on June 3, surrounded by his family at his home in Chinook, MT. Larry was born on June 27, 1947, in Lewistown, MT, to Ken and Freda Surber. He was the second of four children, joining siblings Ken, Gene, and Bonnie. He spent his youth in central Montana, first in Moccasin, where he attended grade school, and later in Denton, where he graduated from Denton High School.

While attending high school in Denton, Larry fell in love with a freshman, the love of his life, Rita Boling, and together they built a remarkable life. They established their first home east of Denton, where they raised their family and welcomed their first son, Chad, followed four years later by their second son, Trever.

Larry's passion for farming and ranching was lifelong and everlasting. He was also an avid basketball referee, a member of the Fergus County Sheriff's Posse, and an active member of both the Masons and Shriners.

Although his heart was always on the ranch, Larry understood the challenges of making a living solely through farming and ranching. His sales career began in Great Falls selling cars. Larry seemed to always have a second job to help give his family whatever they wanted. Throughout their 56 years of marriage, he wholeheartedly supported Rita's career, which led them from Great Falls to Bozeman and eventually to Chinook, where they made their home.

Known for his willingness to help others, Larry was always ready to lend a hand to friends and neighbors. He later returned to car sales while continuing to assist on local ranches. An entrepreneur at heart, he owned and operated L.S. Adventures, providing outfitting, wagon rides, and trail rides, and Cross Creek Trading Company, where he crafted and sold quality hunting products.

Above all else, Larry will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His strong work ethic, generous spirit, infectious smile, and dedication to his family left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. His legacy lives on through the family he cherished and the countless lives he touched throughout the years.

Larry is preceded in death by his dad & mom Ken & Freda Surber, sister Bonnie Surber, son Trever Surber, sister in law Mary Surber and father & mother in law Wayne & Marcella Boling.

He is survived by his wife Rita, son Chad (Vanessa) Surber, grandchildren: Dylan (Desiree) Surber, Jordan (Tim) Stokes, Lily Surber, great grandchildren: Price & Bennett Stokes, brothers Ken Surber, Gene (Viki) Surber, brother in laws: Randy Boling, Richard (Audrey) Boling, Rory (Mary) Boling, Rod Boling, sister in law: Carol (Roger) Bergslen, nieces: Kim (Bill) Ross, Sanda (Mike) Boling, Sonja (Dave) Boling, Jennifer (Jeff) Boling - Ellens, nephews: Kevin (Char) Surber, Sean (Janet) Boling, Shane (Shelly) Surber, Troy (Marcy) Surber, Jeff Boling and many great nieces and nephews too many to mention but he loved them all. You know who you are.

Any memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.