Ronald 'Cleve' Wilson, 79

Ronald “Cleve” Wilson of Columbia Falls passed away peacefully Feb. 29, 2016.

He was born on May 24, 1936, in Miles City to Forest Wilson and Gladys (Fraizer) Wilson. His father died when Cleve was still an infant. His mother raised him as a single parent and moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, when Cleve was in grade school. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1954.

Cleve married Marilyn K. Cowles on April 13, 1957. While raising a family, they built their home on Palmer Creek Road at the base of Harney Peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota, largely by themselves. In addition, they started their thriving business of Mostly Rocks while working as wholesale sales representatives in the gift and souvenir industry.

Cleve had many talents and interests throughout his life, including Boy Scouts and playing trumpet in his formative years. His most sustaining passion was fly fishing, which he enjoyed with his partner, Marilyn. He also tied his own flies for fishing. Cleve traveled for much of his sales career, always seeking the best place for a good steak or pie. But his favorite place was on the banks of a Montana river casting for the next big trout.

Cleve was preceded in death by Marilyn.

He is survived by his son Dean and LaVerna Wilson of Greeley, Colorado; son David Wilson of Rapid City, South Dakota; daughter Sharon and Casey Heupel of West Glacier; grandchildren Mistyque and Kaleb Menn, Martina and Logan Heupel; and great-grandson Rawson Menn.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Columbia Mortuary Chapel in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow at Timber Creek Village, 375 Meadow Lake Blvd., Columbia Falls.

The family requests memorials can be made to Montana Trout Unlimited in memory of Cleve; Montana Trout Unlimited, P.O. Box 7186, Missoula, MT 59807.