Joseph Wellborn

Ned passed away May 24, 2017. He was born to Rela A. and Hattie (Calloway) Wellborn on June 19, 1926 at their homestead in Johnson Gulch up Medicine Lodge. He lived there for a few years with his parents, his older sister June, and his younger brother Bill. They later moved to Armstead and he attended schools there and in Lima. In his younger years, he did a lot of trapping and logging and ran a saw mill with his brother Bill and their Dad. He married DeEsta Hoffman January 25th, 1952 in Dillon and they lived in Armstead. They built their home in Grant shortly after their marriage by cutting and hauling the logs and using their own saw mill. He and his brother Dave owned a ranch and an elk farm at Medicine Lodge and Red Rock. Ned loved to be up Muddy Creek watching over his cows. He held the earliest guides and outfitters license in Montana. He had many stories of the old days and our family holds those memories for him. Ned is preceded in death by his parents; his brother Bill; 2 sisters June and Grace, and 3 babies that passed at birth. He is survived by his wife DeEsta of 65 years; 2 daughters Judy (Kevin) McCracken and Ester (Fred) Bridger; grandchildren Vince (Cheryl) Pierce, Paula (Ryan) Watson, and Travis and Charlotte Elliott; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; sister Nell (Elmer); his brother Dave; and sister-in-law Helen Wellborn. There will be a private family service held at Brundage Funeral Home and a friends and family reception at the Elks Lodge at 4 PM May 30th. The family asks that instead of sending flowers you make a donation to Hospice or the charity of your choice.