Montana Lee 'Tana' Bockman, 72

On the morning of May 16, 2009, Montana Lee "Tana" Bockman "filleted and released his last fish. No one else will be able to challenge the Master and World Champion of Cribbage. He has packed and moved his final peg."

Tana was born Jan. 23, 1937, in Missoula, to Montana G. and Joy Bockman. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1955, played Grizzly football and graduated from the University of Montana in 1961. He taught and coached in Hot Springs, Eureka, Chinook and St. Ignatius.

In 1977, he bought and operated two businesses in Ronan - the Training Room Bar and The White Elephant Second Hand Store, and had resided there since.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Karen Kennedy; and his niece, Stacey Kennedy.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Carlene; his son, Scott, and Mardie Bockman, of Helena; and two daughters, Becky and Dave Toelke of Kalispell, and Christy Fryberger of Charlo. He is also survived by three grandsons, Montana S. Bockman, Tucker Lee Toelke and Brady Lee Fryberger; and three granddaughters, Lindsey Ray Bockman, Carlene Elizabeth and Connor Mae Fryberger.

He will be missed by his family, fishing buddies, athletes he has coached, cribbage players (whom he has also coached), BSers, hunters and all-around great people and friends.

A potluck celebration of Tana's life will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at the Ronan Community Center. Bring your "cribbage face" and wear your Griz gear. Bobcat gear will be accepted but carefully screened!

Memorials may be sent to the Ronan Wrestling Club, c/o Ryan Fisher at 421 Andrew St. N.W. in Ronan; VFW Post 5652 at 35981 Round Butte Road in Ronan; the Grizzly Scholarship Association, U of M, Adams Center 139, Missoula, MT 59812; or a charity of your choice.

As Tana would have said, "This is my final classic story, and it's the honest to God truth!"