Eugene "Gene" Budeski

On June 17, 2016 our brother Gene was called to his heavenly home and released from his earthly bonds.Gene was born on September 12, 1952 to Ron and Jan (Nardinger) Budeski in Great Falls Montana. The second of six children, Gene was a rambunctious kid with plenty of energy to keep mom busy. Growing up in the confines of the city was tough on Gene, as he yearned for the wide open space of the mountains. At 14, he started working summers at dude ranches following his love for horses which lasted his entire life. After graduating from high school, Gene married Cindy Smith and they had two children Travis and Tracy. Together they lived and worked on a variety of ranches in Montana, finally settling in Paradise Valley south of Livingston. Later Cindy and Gene divorced and Gene married Linda Hoops of Livingston. Gene and Linda settled on her family ranch north of Livingston in the Shields Valley and continued living the dream. Together they cut up the dance floor at the Longbranch and built a thriving horse and guide business, meeting folks from all walks of life, many of which remained close friends.Gene loved the mountains and spent as much time as he could there in a saddle, winding up a quiet mountain trail. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and never missed an opportunity to cast a line for a trout dinner. Some of his favorite stories to tell were about horseback trips into the backcountry with his daughter Tracy. He absolutely cherished those trips and kept the memories very close to his heart. Gene may not have been a religious man, but was deeply devoted to the Lord.Gene was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracy as well as his Dad, Ron.He is survived by his mom, Janice Budeski of Bozeman; brother Chris (Sandy) Budeski of Bozeman; sisters Roxanne Stout of Stevensville, Lynda (Jim) Monroe of Great Falls, Sandi (Kent) Brick of Mandan ND, and Heidi (Frank) Jacobson of Colorado Springs CO; three grandchildren, Justin, Jessica and Joseylin; and his son, Travis Mitchell of Kanab, UT.A memorial celebration will be held on Friday, July 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the flower garden in Gibson Park. Please bring a special memory and picture to share.