Gary Owen Bach

Gary Owen Bach, 74, of Fort Benton, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of Gary’s life will be held Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Vets Club Post 1087, 4123 10th Ave S., Great Falls. Gary requested his friends, “come and have bacon and beer on me.” At Gary’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be a private family burial on the Butte at Spring Coulee Ranch. Arrangements are in the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Gary was born January 9, 1943 in Fort Benton, to Hilda Mae “Mamie” Madsen Bach and John “Jack” Bach. The youngest of five children, Gary grew up in Highwood and graduated from Highwood High School in 1962. He began his lifelong love of farming in his youth as he worked on local farms and ranches. As a young man, Gary worked as a surveyor for several different companies and enjoyed the travel and people he met in the small towns and taverns of Montana. He was working in the Elk Horn Mountains in 1971, when he met the love of his life Patty Boucher. Gary and Patty were married two weeks after they met and have cherished their 45 years together. In January of 1973, Gary put down roots and went to work for Spring Coulee Ranch in Highwood. Gary set the standard for hard work and dedication. He was a hero to every young person who came to the ranch to work for the summer. Gary and Patty raised their three children on the ranch and he retired in Fort Benton after 42 years of farming. He loved driving out to the farm and visiting with guys and checking on Fred and Peg. Gary was a friend to everyone; he was quick with a joke and a smile, and always a helping hand. He enjoyed traveling across the US with Patty, and they made friends everywhere they went. In recent years, Gary’s best times were spent working on vehicles with his best friend, his brother Joe. Gary is survived by his wife, Patty; their children, Heidi (Norm) Johnson, Jack (Ashleigh) Bach and Willie (Shannon) Bach; and adopted daughter Dee (Dick) Brooks. Gary loved his grandchildren, Frankie, Jackie, Kennedy, Tate, McGuire, David, Gracie, Auztin and Hazel; great grandson Blake; brother Joe Bach of Fort Benton; sister Lois Vasquez of Florida; brother-in-laws Bill Hake of Turner, MT, Frank (Cheryl) Boucher of Helena, MT, Tim Boucher of Butte, MT, and Paul (Colleen) Boucher of Great Falls, MT; sister-in-law Sharon Graham of Rathdrum, ID; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and everyone at Spring Coulee Ranch. His parents, his sister Marie Hake, his brother John Bach preceded Gary in death. Donations may be made in Gary’s name to Peace Hospice,PO Box 7008, Great Falls MT 59406-7008 or the donor’s choice.