Dave Landstrom, freshly retired from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, thought he was going to Wayfarers State Park on a sunny Wednesday afternoon for a swim in Flathead Lake. Lynsay Makuth thought she was organizing a lunch at the state park’s picnic area to celebrate her retired colleague.

Neither realized they were about to receive the Outstanding Service Award from Gov. Greg Gianforte during a ceremonial presentation surrounded by their coworkers and family members.  

“When I took office, I created the Outstanding Service Award to honor state employees who’ve gone above and beyond in their service to the state,” Gianforte said from behind a music stand that served as a makeshift podium under chokecherry trees, the lake behind him. “Today, we want to recognize someone who has done just that, and I’d like to call Dave Landstrom.” 

“What?” Landstrom exclaimed from the back of the crowd, a look of shock flickering across his face. He was dressed in a Green Bay Packers shirt and swim trunks. 

“You’re looking very retired,” Gianforte joked as Landstrom joined the governor, where he was presented with a certificate and a Montana flag.  

Landstrom in July wrapped up a 30-year career with Fish, Wildlife and Parks, where his leadership shaped recreation areas like Somers Beach State Park, Lone Pine State Park and Wild Horse Island. His tenure with the agency was a second career: he started out as a college intern and park ranger at the age of 30 and never left.  

He worked his way up through the ranks to become the regional parks and recreation manager for Northwest Montana, overseeing some of the state’s most treasured parks and recreation areas through a period of immense change and an exponential increase in visitation. 

“You’ve dedicated your career to protecting all of Montana’s outdoor treasures and expanding opportunities so we all can enjoy them,” Gianforte said. “He’s balanced recreation, conservation and responsible stewardship while leading projects that have done a lot to improve public access and protected Montana’s natural resources for all of us and future generations.” 

“I am absolutely, completely, utterly blown away,” Landstrom said, accepting the award. “I truly thought I was coming here to go swimming.” 

“You can still go swimming after this,” Gianforte quipped.  

Watching the ceremony, Makuth didn’t realize she was also about to be recognized by the governor.  

“We have one more Outstanding Service Award: Lynsay Makuth,” Gianforte said. 

Makuth, an administrative assistant for the agency’s Northwest Montana region, has logged a decade of service to Fish, Wildlife and Parks. In her role, Makuth oversees the Region 1 office in Kalispell, running the front desk and ensuring that everything runs smoothly for customers and employees throughout every division. 

“Whether helping hunters and anglers navigate our fairly complicated permitting system or working with Montana's Amish community to ensure access to hunting opportunities, Lynsay always finds a way to serve others with compassion and care,” Gianforte said.  “Her leadership has made the agency more responsive and more effective to the people it serves.” 

“Just thank you everybody, all my coworkers. They are like family to me, and I couldn't do any of it without my team, who's right there,” Makuth said in response, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at the staff members there to support her. “They make me look good. They are the ones that hold everything together, and I really appreciate them.” 

WHILE LANDSTROM and Makuth traveled different paths to arrive at their careers with Fish, Wildlife and Parks, one thread can be traced between the two — both started at the bottom of their respective positions and, through hard work and dedication, rose through the ranks of the agency. 

Region 1 encompasses the Crown of the Continent ecosystem and the largest natural freshwater lake in the West. The area is a magnet for hunters, anglers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, who rely heavily on Fish, Wildlife and Parks to facilitate those experiences.  

“It’s so gratifying to have it happen here in this particular park,” Landstrom said after the ceremony ended. “My entire career with Fish, Wildlife and Parks was here in Northwest Montana, with all of these parks around Flathead Lake.” 

The Wisconsin native found his way out to Montana in his early twenties and never left, captivated by the landscape and recreation opportunities. Over his 30 years with the agency, he’s seen the Flathead Valley change immensely, but he’s still always thrilled to come to a state park and see people enjoying the splendor of the outdoors in Montana.  

“This is my neck of the woods, with all these wonderful people here, and particularly in this park, we’re taking care of park and accesses and other recreation sites,” Landstrom said. “It’s a thrill for me to come to a place like this and see people enjoying themselves. We’re just so lucky in Montana to have this at our fingertips.” 

Makuth was born and raised in Bozeman, where hunting and fishing were a central part of her life. She grew up recreating in Montana’s wilderness. 

“It means a lot to me to protect that and to be just a small part of it,” Makuth said. 

Working for Fish, Wildlife and Parks seemed like the perfect opportunity to do just that, with the agency fitting her lifestyle and reflecting the values she was raised with.  

“I just am really grateful for the opportunity and being able to work for an agency where it feels like you love your job, and you get to work with people that really care about Montana’s resources,” Makuth said. 

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.