Henry John Drga

Henry John Drga

Henry John Drga, 90, of Big Sandy passed away on Friday, March 15, 2013, at the Big Sandy Medical Center of natural causes.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 22, 2013, at 11 a.m. at the Big Sandy Church of God with Pastor Erik Sietsema and John Drga officiating. Burial will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery. The family has requested that memorials be made in Henry's name to the Big Sandy Saddle Club, the Big Sandy Library, the Big Sandy Medical Center or the Great Falls Rescue Mission.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and/or condolences for the family at http://www.hollandbonine.com. Riverview Greenhouse in Fort Benton is designing floral arrangements.

Henry was born on Oct. 1, 1922, in Great Falls, Mont., to Frank and Julia (Jirsa) Drga Sr. He was raised in Big Sandy, attended school at the Iliad Country School, completed one year of high school at Great Falls and graduated from Big Sandy High School. Following high school, he attended Northern Montana College, graduating with his associate degree in agriculture.

He married Violet Lanik in Havre in 1950, and the couple's union was blessed with a daughter, Ann. The couple farmed and ranched southeast of Big Sandy.

Henry enjoyed watching boxing, attending rodeos, breaking horses, moving dirt, welding, witching wells and, especially, dancing and playing cards. He was a member of the Big Sandy Saddle Club, the Montana Farmers Union and the Big Sandy Historical Society. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Violet Drga; his parents, Frank and Julia Drga; his brothers, Frank Drga Jr. and George Drga; and his nephews George Drga and Don Drga.

Henry is survived by his daughter Ann (Larry) Bitz of Big Sandy and his two grandchildren Rebecca Bitz of Helena and Daniel Bitz of Big Sandy.