Estil Franks

October 25, 1941 - February 1, 2021

On February 1, 2021, Daddy saddled up his horse for his final ride. He rode up to Passage Falls where he tossed in a fly to catch one last cut throat at his cabin. He made his way up to Burnt Flats, and over to Thompson Lake. One last trip through Big Pine Basin and up Prairie Ridge as he made his way to mount Wallace. He rode down Grizzly Creek, around Hell Roaring, Carpenter Lake, and over to Knox Lake. When he got to the Gates of Heaven, he looked back at all of us and whispered, “It’s been a hell of a ride.” Grandpa Franks met him at the Gates of Heaven, turned back to Grandma and said, “Bessie, Jr. is here! Get this youngin somethin to eat!” Estil Earnest Franks, Jr. was born October 25th, 1941 in a small cabin up Mill Creek near Pray, Montana, to Estil Earnest Franks, Sr. and Bessie Franks. The family eventually moved to Livingston, where Estil would attend and graduate from high school. It was there on 10th Street where he would meet the love of his life, Diane Morgensen, at the ripe young age of 16. Those two houses, merely a block apart, would become the canvas and the start of a fairytale relationship. From that day forward the two would become inseparable for the next 63 years. They married May 11th, 1963 in St. Mary’s Church in Livingston. Estil worked for the City of Livingston for a short time until he landed a position with Burlington Northern Railroad, where a lifelong career as an Electrician would transpire. He loved his job, and he was damn good at it. In 1986, he was transferred to Glendive, where he would again teach his family how to make the best of any situation life threw your way. He had an amazing sense of humor and a great attitude. He didn’t demand respect, people just respected him. One of his co-workers once asked Diane, “Is he always happy? He smiles and whistles all day at work.” Yes, that infectious smile beamed with pride and confidence, knowing no job was too tough for him. He loved his co-workers, and called most of them “friends.” He was a man of his word. If he said it, he meant it. After 38 years of service, Estil retired from the railroad in Glendive. The love and life lessons Estil taught his family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will be cherished for generations. Whether it was going out and getting meat for the hook and teaching us to process it ourselves, to building a fire, or even just lending a caring ear, he did it with attentiveness and meaning. He was the greatest “Life” teacher we have ever known. His love of his grandchildren was top priority. He lived for his grandkids. He even loved his grandchildren’s friends, who many would also address him as “Papa.” His garage walls are still plastered with artwork from his “babies,” and he never got tired about telling the stories behind them, and you never got tired of hearing them. There were no boundaries when it came to pleasing his grandkids and great-grandkids…NONE. Makeup? Yep. Paint your fingernails Papa? Yep. Toe nails? Sure. It didn’t matter. If it made them smile or laugh, he was all in. He would always light up like a Christmas tree with a teary twinkle in his eye when they would show up or surprise him. He truly cherished them. Estil Earnest Franks, Jr. It was an honor to call his Son. It was an honor to call him Brother, Husband, Uncle, Dad, and Papa…but most of all, it was an honor to call him “Friend.” He was preceded in death by his parents, Estil Earnest Franks, Sr. and Bessie Franks; brothers, Garret Franks and Clyde Franks, sisters, Rhonda Wiltgen and Winona Horsely; half-brother, Paul Franks; and half-sisters, Nancy Hedgecock and Joanne Osborne. Estil is survived by his wife, Diane Franks of Glendive; his children, Michelle Franks Bailey (Joe) of Belgrade, Montana and Mark Franks (Bekki) of Glendive; grandchildren, Tyler (Lindy) Allen, Cj (Cassi) Berberet, Lane Berberet, Jaxon Bailey, Trista Bailey, Alissa Bailey, Lexi Bailey, Morgan Franks, and Axton Franks; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Carter Berberet, Maddison, Joseph, Tony, and Christian Allen, and Kole, Cruz, Duncan, and Amara Bailey; sisters, Margaret (Peter) Napthine of Livingston, Loretta Goben of York, Nebraska, and Kathy (Ric) Bailey of Austin, Minnesota; brother, John (Deb) Franks of Livingston; sisters-in-law, Sheila Franks of Livingston, Jamie Franks of Austin, Minnesota, Colette (Ray) Olson of Livingston, and Muriel Morgensen of Livingston; brother-in-law, Steve Wiltgen of Livingston; and countless nieces and nephews. The family will be receiving friends to celebrate the life of Estil from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the Silha Tribute Center. Graveside services will be held in Livingston at a later date. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.