Victor R. Scheuffele

Victor R. Scheuffele, bearing the heart of a pioneer, felt he was born “100 years too late,” on February 26, 1937. He was the eldest of 5 siblings, growing up rough and tumble in Fallon County surrounded by a large, loving, extended family. He was clever enough for school, but generally chose to get just enough done to earn his freedom to head to the Straub Ranch and the Red Angus cattle he admired. Eventually, he traded riding the range with uncles Reiny, Herby, and Art for constructing roads that crisscrossed a huge expanse of that range. Then one day, he noticed Carol Jafek walking down the street in Baker and decided that was the girl for him. In 1959, he married that pretty woman, and soon he traded his souped-up hot rod for a family vehicle, as Mark was born the next year. Doug followed soon after, while Vicki and Tara enjoyed a more leisurely entrance to the family.

Vic loved being outdoors and was an expert marksman, providing wild game for the family table without fail. Every summer his family joined the Jafek family, tenting in the Big Horn mountains of Wyoming—way up past the campgrounds—using “Betsy”, his green 1969 Ford truck, as the beast of burden. Many brook trout were hooked, fried, and eaten on those trips, with dutch oven peach cobbler for dessert. He was a Little League coach for many years, mentoring countless boys, especially his own, in hard work, good sportsmanship, and love of the game.  As the girls grew up, he traded baseball games for dance recitals, band concerts, and girls’ basketball.

Carol and Vic enjoyed trips to Australia and Venezuela. When the kids scattered across the US, the couple transitioned from the home that Vic had beautifully landscaped to a 32’ motorhome and trips around the U.S. The grandkids cherished these visits from Papa Vic and Grandma Carol, and the camping, fishing, and hiking continued. Eventually, the motorhome was traded for a ‘park model’ in Arizona where dad finally got enough of the spicy food he loved! Vic loved exploring the desert landscape and entertaining his new neighbors with tequila and tales of his expeditions. Since 2009, Vic and Carol have delighted in living near Tara’s family in Great Falls. Dad settled in once again to landscaping his yard, enjoying the views, and feeding the birds. Epic trips were replaced by quiet walks with mom, and car rides through the countryside, always in search of birds, deer, antelope, cattle, fields of grain, and meadows of flowers.

Through all these transitions, one constant remained, that Vic loved and trusted the Lord and encouraged his children to be faithful children of God. Vic’s sonorous bass voice blessed church choirs for many years and in many places. He put his faith to work, serving in leadership roles and volunteering for many pancake and German sausage suppers. On June 26, 2022, Victor R. Scheuffele, quite uncharacteristically, missed church, to begin eternal life in God’s House. His family is comforted knowing that he is with his Father in Heaven. Vic was preceded in death by his brother, Ray, and two grandchildren, Angela and Amy. He is survived by his wife, Carol; 4 children; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-granddaughters, and 3 siblings, Shirley Strangford, Robert Scheuffele, and Reuben Scheuffele. We, his children, wonder if his only regret is missing Carol’s birthday the following day. He adored that pretty woman.

You can honor Vic by uplifting one another in faith and being God’s hands on earth.

The funeral service for Vic will be at Peace Lutheran Church in Great Falls on Friday, July 8, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow and burial at 1:30 p.m. at Highland Cemetery.The service will also be available from the Peace Lutheran website at peacelutherangreatfalls.org .