Harvey Leroy Drube

Harvey Leroy Drube, 83, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021, with Bernice, the love of his life by his side. He was uplifted to the ultimate place of peace on that quiet Saturday morning after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in late August. He was born on October 24, 1937, in Carter, Montana. He was the second of six sons to Freddie and Edna (Halley) Drube. After graduating from Fort Benton High School in 1956, he married Janet Smith in 1957. They divorced in 1973. They had three children, Margaret, Tom, and Dennis. Harvey moved back to Fort Benton and later married Lana Larson Robertson. They moved to Gillette, WY in 1977. Harvey started his own business, “Truck Service Specialists.” After Harvey and Lana went their separate ways, he then met Char Stroud and they were later married in Sand Point, Idaho before moving to Tacoma, Washington. In Tacoma, Harvey worked as a builder/installer of portable storage units for several years. After divorcing Char, he then moved back to the Kellogg, Idaho area before finally settling in Manhattan, Montana in 2002. Harvey worked for Bozeman Brick and Tile and hauled hot oil for Dennis Heavner Trucking. In 2004, he reconnected with a former family friend Bernice Hoffman. Harvey and Bernice have been residents of Great Falls since 2005. Although he was retired, he still took delight in seasonal farm work spreading fertilizer and harvesting. He was working right up until his cancer diagnosis on August 20. However, Harvey’s trait as a hard worker did not overshadow his adventurous nature. In 2006, Harvey and Bernice voyaged to the Czech Republic where they explored the local sites of Prague - whether it be planned or from getting lost - but both resulted in lasting memories. Together, Harvey and Bernice enjoyed multiple cruises through Mexico and spent their winters in their “Happy Camper” in Mesa, Arizona with their Shih Tzu dogs Sophie and Sienna. He was known as the embodiment of strength and life itself. He loved his friends and family deeply and never shied away from gatherings, especially if they included the game of Tuk. He took his time working on every task, no matter the size, knowing he would leave his mark on the world as a man of craftsmanship. One of these tasks in his younger years was training a wild skunk to be a loving companion. More recently, Harvey was the tender of his home’s renovation projects and caretaker of his garden. The most noteworthy gift he leaves are his beautiful rose bushes, which still bloom today. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Edna (Halley) Drube; daughter, Margaret Blair; grandson, Brandon Settles; great-grandson, Noah Drube; brothers, Edgar, Eugene, Richard, Harry, and Donovan; and son-in-law, Robert Brenden. He is survived by Bernice Hoffman; sons, Tom (Dana) and Dennis (Michele); bonus children, Julie Fisher, Justin McKechnie, Jill Brenden, and Shane (Rosemary) Burney; 8 grandchildren, Micheal, Mirandee, Joseph, Leah, Adam, Teresa, Kylie, and Casey; bonus grandchildren, Tiffany, Kylie, Max, Hannah, and Tandi; 14 great-grandchildren, Logan, Christian, Zachary, Joe, Bentley, Lily, Isaac, Aston, Caitlyn, Damien, Carson, Amia, Kristine and Faith; bonus great-grandsons, David and Fletcher; great-great-grandson, Remington; great-great-granddaughter due in December 2021; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the West Side United Methodist Church in Great Falls at 4:00 pm. The church address is: 726 Central Avenue West.