GLEE TEEL obituary

Glee E. "Budd" Teel, 89, long-time Havre resident, died on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2003, at a local care facility of natural causes.

A public viewing and visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home. The graveside service will be held at 10 a.m.

Thursday at the Highland Cemetery with the Rev. John Richardson officiating.

Budd was born May 31, 1914, to Steven E. and Alice (Malin) Teel on a homestead north of Havre. His family relocated to Dodson in 1923, where they resided for three years. Hard times moved them to Glentana for one year. With work scarce, the family moved to Kansas.

In 1930, Budd came back to Havre by himself to work many jobs north of Havre and Dodson. As a young man, he loved riding the Plains near the old family homestead near the Canadian border. Budd loved riding horses, and that took him to competitions across Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. During the 13 years he competed in O-Mok-Sees, he garnered many district, state and national championships.

In 1936 he met and married Velta W. Hammon. In 1956 the couple started the G.E. Teel Plumbing and Heating Company, which they operated until 1978.

Budd also was an accomplished banjo and guitar player and passed his love of music on to his family.

Budd was preceded in death by his parents, Steven and Alice Teel; his wife of 54 years, Velta Teel; brothers, Ray and Dean Teel; and sisters Dolly Green and Nellie Currie.

Survivors include his sons, Eldon (Voncil) Teel of Hortense, Ga., and Steven (Sue) Teel of Bakersfield, Calid.; daughter, Shirley (Wayne) Buell of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Budd's honor may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Charlotte Kelly, P.O. Box 1107, Havre, MT 59501; The Hi-Line Therapeutic Riding Association, P.O. Box 786, Havre, MT 59501; or a person's choice.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.