FLOYD SIBLEY obituary

Floyd Arnold Sibley, 80, who had collapsed at his home Monday evening, March 26, 2007, died at a Chester hospital where resuscitative measures failed.

His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a. m. Friday at the Chester United Methodist Church. Cremation will follow the services. Floyd was born Nov. 1, 1926, in Alberta, Canada, to Bertrum and Pauline (Lewis) Sibley. Floyd grew up in Alberta and received his formal education at Cardston. At a young age, Floyd came to the Sweetgrass Hills in northcentral Montana to work on the Fey Ranch. He later moved to a ranch near Cascade, where he met his first wife, Betty Anne Ward. They had a daughter, Kay. The Sibley's lived in the Choteau community until their marriage ended in divorce. In the years that followed, Floyd continued to work in the ranching business. He was employed as foreman on the Hamilton Ranch near Augusta when he met his second wife, Betty Lou (Hust) Bagley, who was hired as cook at the ranch. Floyd and Betty “fell madly in love” and were married in Choteau on Jan. 31, 1987. Soon after their marriage, Floyd retired. The Sibleys remained in the Fort Shaw, Fairfield and Choteau communities for the next 10 years. In 1998, they moved to Rudyard to be near Betty's daughter, Julie Shepherd, and family. After developing health issues in 2005, they moved to Chester to live next to the Shepherds and to be closer to medical facilities. Floyd loved the great outdoors, camping and ranching activities, especially working with horses and cattle. He was the stereotypical cowboy, never passing up an opportunity to assist with a cattle drive or stay at a cow camp. Floyd also enjoyed rodeos; he was thrilled to attend the National Rodeo Finals at Las Vegas in his retirement years. During his quiet time at home, he liked to play cards. Floyd was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Cecil and Earl Sibley. Survivors include his wife, Betty Sibley of Chester; daughters, Kay Mortenson of Purcell, Okla., and Julie (Roger) Shepherd of Chester; son, Wayne (Mary) Bagley of Belfair, Wash.; eight grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; brothers, Roy Sibley and Lyle (Shirley) Sibley, both of Alberta; sisters, Fay (Doug) Clark, Eva (Cal) Rains and Irene Davidson, all of Alberta; and many nephews and nieces. Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester.