Obituary - Kenneth D. Chauvet

Former Big Sandy rancher and cattle buyer Kenneth D. Chauvet, 92, died Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls after a short illness.

Born Aug. 18, 1923, in Big Sandy to Henry and Violet (Reed) Chauvet, Kenneth attended school in Big Sandy and graduated from high school in 1941. He later attended Montana State College in Bozeman.

He was inducted into the army during World War II in January 1944 and received his basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

He was assigned to the 5th Army 10th Mountain Division in Italy and left for his overseas assignment in December 1944. For his meritorious service in combat from Feb. 20, 1945, to May 2, 1945, as a mortarman in the Apennine Mountains in Po Valley, Italy, Kenneth was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. He was honorably discharged in August 1945.

In April 1944, Kenneth married a hometown girl, Ayleen Patricia Kane, in Alabama. Upon his return from service the couple settled in Big Sandy and he took over the Chauvet family ranch, producing both cattle and grain. The couple raised their three children there. In 1982, the couple legally separated. Pat survives him today.

Kenneth served on the Big Sandy school board during the planning and building of the F.E. Miley Grade School. He was one of the founders of Big Sandy Grain, and served on the board of directors there for many years. He was a 55-year member of the American Legion, 41-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and 32-year member of the Moose Lodge, as well as a member of Toastmaster International in Great Falls.

After retiring, Kenneth moved first to Great Falls and later to Fairfield where he lived for the last 13 years. He enjoyed his time at the Fairfield Senior Center volunteering, visiting and playing cards, pool and cribbage.

Kenneth loved to dance and enjoyed weekly dancing. In 2013, he traveled to a taping of the Molly B Polka Party shown on RFD TV. He enjoyed seeing the reruns of the show that featured him as one of the dancers. He looked forward to traveling to polka fests and attended his final fest in Billings over the 2015 Labor Day weekend.  

Additional survivors include his three children, Darrell (Betty Jo) of Big Sandy, Carol (Jim) Steven of Chester, and Rick (Yo Fen) of Great Falls; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step great grandchildren; one niece; and his companion and dance partner, Bertie Turville of Fairfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. No service is being planned, at his request. A private burial of ashes will be at Big Sandy cemetery with military honors.

Memorials are suggested to Great Falls Peace Hospice or the Fairfield Senior Center.