Victor Lee "Vic" Ehnes

Victor Lee (Vic) Ehnes was born February 22, 1935, in Fort Benton, Montana to parents, Nicodemus Victor “Nick” Ehnes and Mary Isabelle Slack. Vic was the fourth of six children and grew up on the family farm near Highwood, Montana. Vic was the mechanic of the family and rebuilt the engine on one of the family tractors when he was ten years old. He built many wheeled contraptions, usually with motors borrowed from garden equipment, and managed to survive them all. In 1949 Vic got his first motorcycle, a 1949 Harley-Davidson 125. Vic put over 40,000 miles on the little Harley in just a few years. Vic went to school in Highwood and successfully completed the fifth grade and was then moved around between 6th through 8th grades. Vic did not fit into the traditional school setting and at 14 years old, went to trade school in Havre, Montana. Vic operated an automotive garage in Highwood with his brother, Steve, for a couple of years. In 1955 Vic volunteered to serve in the US Army. He served in Korea for about a year right after the end of the conflict. He served as a mechanic and wrecker operator in the 38th Ordinance Company, 4th Battalion. After he got out of the service, He stopped at Slacks Cycle one day. The mechanic there did not know how to use a degree wheel on a triumph engine, so Vic showed them how. Rob Slack hired him on the spot. He worked for Rob for about ten years. Vic met Ramona Gay “Mona” Brunett in the fall of 1959, and they were married in Fort Benton in 1960. They had two sons, William Leonard “Will” Ehnes and Russell Lee “Russ” Ehnes. In 1967 Vic and Mona started Vic’s Cycle Service, which they operated from 1967 until 1985. They sold Hodaka, CZ, Jawa, Kami, Rokon, and Can-Am motorcycles as well as Ski-doo and Polaris snowmobiles. Vic loved riding motorcycles with his family and friends but also loved to snowmobile, fish, float, hunt foul, and work in his shop. In fact, Vic is well known as an inventor, fabricator, machinist, welder, and solver of mechanical problems. His family jokes that no matter the problem, Vic knew there was a mechanical solution. Vic had a fondness for Volkswagens, which he passed on to his grandson, Cory. Vic was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010, but it had been affecting him for several years prior to his diagnosis. As the disease progressed, Vic became more determined to build inventions in his shop and “improve” everything he owned. Over the years his customizations became known as “Victimizations.” Many motorcycles have been “Victimized.” Vic’s family helped him live at home until it no longer was safe to do so. Vic lived his last three and a half months in the Fort Benton Hospital nursing home. Dementia and Vic’s strong will to do what he wanted, including working in his shop, made his last days frustrating. On the morning of October 12, 2022, Vic passed suddenly and peacefully at the nursing home and found peace. Vic is survived by sister, Barbara Hankins; brother, Ray (Joanne) Ehnes; wife, Mona Ehnes; sons, Will Ehnes and Russ (Trish) Ehnes; stepdaughter, Julie (Ron) Petersen; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Vic was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Steve, John, and Donald; and brothers-in-law, Tom Brunett and John Hankins. There will be a celebration of life for Vic Ehnes on November 26, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Dark Horse Hall Event Space at the Celtic Cowboy/Hotel Arvon (118 1st Ave South). Hors d'oeuvres will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by a brief eulogy and stories from friends and family. Dinner will be provided at 6:00 p.m. There will be a cash bar. Please bring your favorite stories and photos of Vic. We hope you will join us to remember and celebrate Vic's life and the great times we have all had together.