Curtis "Brent" Gaylord, Jr.

Known best by his middle name, Curtis ”Brent” Gaylord, Jr. passed away June 26, 2022, at the age of 82. Brent dedicated his life to journalism, community, hard work, and family. He was born in Osceola, WI to Curtis and Mary Gaylord. Brent gained an appreciation for newspaper operations from his dad who worked for and later owned The Polk County Ledger in Balsam Lake, WI. After graduating from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN in 1962, Brent married Joanne Rae Norsby and began climbing the newspaper industry ladder.

In 1967, Brent's love for Montana spurred them to move to Joanne’s hometown of Valier, MT, where Brent became an advertising salesman for The Cut Bank Pioneer Press and Shelby Promoter. In 1969, driven by their entrepreneurial spirit, Brent and Joanne founded The Prairie Star, an agricultural, lifestyle publication focused on Montana ag producers. With the help of guest writers, local extension offices, and Joanne’s column, “Jo’s Corner,” they provided a valuable resource for ag families. Over the next decade, Brent and Joanne grew The Prairie Star from five to all 56 Montana counties and added circulation to neighboring states and into Canada.

In 1985, Brent and Joanne entered into a joint restaurant/bar venture with Jerry Norsby, Joanne’s brother, when they purchased The Lighthouse property on Lake Frances. The property was remodeled and opened for business in 1987 as The Wild Goose Landing. They sold the property to Bob and Sue Kovatch in 1989 and also sold The Prairie Star that same year. In 2000, Brent and Joanne, along with other Prairie Star employees, co-founded another agricultural publication, The Trader’s Dispatch. After several successful years, they fully retired to their farm on Birch Creek west of Valier. Brent and Joanne moved to Belt, MT in 2020.

Brent was a valuable member of his community and an active member of the Valier United Methodist Church and Valier Area Development Corporation all while raising four boys with Joanne. Brent strongly believed in community service and served on the Valier Town Council, the Valier Public Schools Board of Trustees, and the Pondera Medical Center Board of Directors.

Brent is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joanne; sons, Doug (Seana), Eric (Shirstie), Joe (Krista), and Ben (Bobbi Jo); grandchildren,  Brendan, Matthew, Sammy, Ellie, Aaliyah, Michael, Khasia, Khaila, and Chael; great-grandchildren, Brady, Nikola, Octavia, and Silas; stepmother,  Dorothy; siblings, Kirk, Kathleen, Gretchen, and Heather.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Brent Gaylord’s name to the United Methodist Church in Valier, MT or Benefis Peace Hospice of Montana in Great Falls, Montana.

A memorial service for Brent will be held at the Valier United Methodist Church in Valier, MT on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.