Herbert Eugene “Gene” Sevier Jr., 95, of Polson, passed away Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011, at his home.

Gene was born Oct. 2, 1915, to Herb and Grace Sevier in Chester. Gene grew up helping his father farm and ranch in various places across eastern Montana and developed his own passion for the outdoors by ranching and tending to the cows and horses. Gene attended schools in Windham and Hobson.

The family relocated to Kalispell where Gene met and fell in love with his true love, Helen Shoemaker. They were married on Dec. 3, 1939, and together raised two daughters. Gene and Helen moved to Dayton in 1948, where they leased a large ranch working side by side putting up hay and taking care of cows. Later they acquired their own cows, and branding soon became the annual get-together for both family and friends alike.

In 1958, Gene and Helen bought a farm in Round Butte where he continued to raise cattle until his retirement to the Eagle Nest Resort in Polson.

Gene and Helen enjoyed many years of square dancing, making many friends all over western Montana and traveling, having been to most of the U.S. Hunting and fishing trips in the Bob Marshall were especially fun with family and friends, and yearly trips were made to the homestead in eastern Montana.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his dear wife, Helen; three brothers and two sisters; his granddaughter, Crystal; and two sons-in-law, LeRoy Lafrinire and Dan McAllister.

He is survived by his daughters, Janet Lafrinire of Polson, and Margaret and Charlie Bauer of Ronan; a sister, Mary Mints, of San Jose, Calif.; a brother, Bill Sevier, of Lewiston, Idaho; two sisters-in-law, Pat and Parker Sevier and Wanda and Bob Sevier, both of Kalispell; three grandchildren, Leslie Muth, Rayne Lafrinire, and Kelly and Tanya McAllister; nine great-grandchildren, Reese Williams, Letitia Starkel, Ryan Williams, Jona Lafrinire, Mateel Muth, Trevar, Kane, Trapper and Koy McAllister; and many nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service for both Gene and Helen will take place in Kalispell this spring.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Sevier’s family.