Wesley Willard Winterrowd

Wesley “Sam” Winterrowd, age 91, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at Highgate Senior Living Center in Great Falls. Sam was born in Great Falls on March 9, 1930, to Irvin “Ted” and Anna (Covert) Winterrowd. He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1948 and then served in the Army Air Corps as a Radio Operator in Alaska. After his return he married Ardi Marie Belgarde and they made their home in Conrad, MT which is where they raised their seven children. He worked for the railroad and then for Mountain Bell where he spent over 40 years as “Sam the telephone man” installing phones and working as a lineman even during the worst winter storms. Sam lived in Conrad for most of his life only leaving to move to the Highgate in 2019. While he was widely recognized around town riding his bicycle no matter the season, what many didn’t know was his quiet generosity for schools, charities, and people both near and far. He was an avid reader and gardener and passed both of those gifts on to his children. He was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ardi; parents, Ted and Ann Winterrowd; brother-in-law, Ole Stimac, Sr.; and grandson, John Winterrowd. Sam is survived by his children, Toni Winterrowd McClue, Eva/Chris Yellowtail, Sarita (Scott) Lundin, Gus (Patti) Winterrowd, Matt (Mary) Winterrowd, Bart Winterrowd, and Dave Winterrowd; sister, Marie Stimac; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Highgate and Peace Hospice for the care and comfort they provided to him. A funeral liturgy and celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to Peace Hospice.