Elner Donald Eaton

April 26, 1943 - June 5, 2018

Elner Donald Eaton, age 75, of Terry, Montana passed away on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 north of Terry. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A Family and Friends service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at the Silha Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Evangelical Church of North America in Glendive with Pastor David Steinbron and Pastor Robert Canen officiating. Interment will be in the Union Cemetery south of Lindsay, Montana. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Elner was born April 26,1943 to Frank Cecil and Esther Carlstrom Eaton, the second of ten children. He grew up on the family homestead and attended school through the 8th grade at Union School. He graduated from Terry High School and went on to MSU where he graduated in Agribusiness. He returned home to help with the family ranch. Elner’s father had a heart attack when Elner was 16 and from that time on, he and his brothers ran the family farm. He was instrumental in the growth of the ranch. The ranch and his family were the centers of his life. Elner met his future wife, Linda Zody while taking his sisters to the Union School, the same school he attended. Elner and Linda were married during one of the worst Thanksgiving storms the Bloomfield area had seen and their union lasted 47 years. Their son, Brad, arrived in 1973 and their daughter, Heather, completed their family in 1976. They spent the next several years chasing their children to school and church activities and even managed to squeeze in a few family vacations. He enjoyed passing his work ethic to his son, Brad, showing him the value of a job well done, not just done. Heather held a special place in her dad’s heart, tagging along to be “one of the guys.” Elner’s grandchildren were the light of his life. He loved it when they came to visit and took a vast interest in their activities. He liked to take them with him when he was working, wanting to teach them the value of hard work and his love of ranch and family. He especially loved it when they called him, “Bapa.” On his last day on earth, Elner was enjoying the sunny morning after a fresh rain by doing one of his favorite things, checking the cows, when the Lord called him home. Elner was a man of deep faith, trusting the Lord to help him through each day. He was a member of the Evangelical Church. He was baptized with daughter Heather, son-in-law Aaron, and grandson Alex. He was also a member of the Gideons. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, father-in-law, and sister, Alice Schmidt. Elner is survived by his wife, Linda, son Brad (Holly), daughter Heather (Aaron) McIntyre, four grandchildren Abby Eaton, Alex Eaton, Hayden and Jett McIntyre. Brothers Ed (Adela) of Las Cruces, NM, Lee (Connie) of Lindsay, Tom (Linda) of Glendive, Ben (Lou Ann) of Reeder, ND, Sisters, Marilyn Martin & Priscilla Wrobetz of Greely, CO, Lottie (Curt) Starr of Billings, Connie (Steve) Sumida of Anchorage, AK and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons, Evangelical Church in Glendive, or Union Hall. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.