Eugene W. Bushard, Jr.

Eugene Wilford Bushard, Jr., 89, of Great Falls, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at the Kalispell Medical Center. Public visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Funeral liturgy will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Eugene was born in New Ulm, MN on July 20, 1928 to Eugene Wilford Bushard, Sr. and Elona Virginia Hoffman Bushard. He worked at Montgomery Ward until 1968. After that he worked in various businesses; school bus business, sales, auto parts, gas station, and muffler business. He was a talented musician, playing guitar and singing on the radio with his brother Dennis (deceased), in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Eugene was very involved with Great Falls Northside Little League, serving as Eastern Montana Little League District Administrator for a time, and with Great Falls Central Catholic High School. And he loved to watch his grandkids play softball, baseball, and gymnastics. He was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and later Blessed Sacrament. Eugene is survived by daughter Sandra Rose (Mike) Specht of Cotopaxi, CO; daughter-in-law Colleen Bushard of Billings; sons Rick (Linda) Bushard of St. George, UT, Darrell (Laura) Bushard of Hungry Horse, MT, Larry (Barb) Bushard of Longmont, CO, Bryon (Doris) of Boise, ID, Reid (Lourdes) Bushard of San Diego, CA; Robyn (Sandy) Bushard of Kulm, ND, and David (Dawn) Bushard of Black Eagle, MT; sisters Marlene Clyne of Douglas, NE and Beatrice Stahn of Osakis, Minnesota; brother Carlos “Bud” (Kim) Bushard of Coker, AL; 26 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by wife Rose Marie Reed Bushard; son Norbert Bushard; and parents Elona and Eugene Wilford Bushard. Memorials in Eugene’s name may be given to Central Catholic High School, 2800 18th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405.