BELFRY - Bruce John Herden, 68, of Belfry, passed away Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, at Deaconess Billings Clinic Hospital, surrounded by this family, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Bruce was born Dec. 13, 1935, at home in Big Horn, Wyo. In his early years, he spent most of his time farming and working with racehorses. Bruce graduated in 1953 from Sheridan, Wyo., High School. He moved to Emigrant in 1954 to manage the family ranch. In 1955, he met Mary Minnie, and they were married in 1956 in Sheridan, Wyo. During their early years, they also lived in Townsend, Laurel and Big Timber. In 1972, they moved to Belfry, where they farmed, ranched and established their trucking company.

Bruce was involved with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Posse, where he enjoyed playing cowboy polo. He also enjoyed team roping throughout the years, as well as teaching his two sons to rope. After retiring from trucking, he drove bus for the Belfry School. He especially enjoyed driving the activity bus. He was always the biggest fan at all activities involving his children and later his grandchildren. In the last three years, he was blessed with four great-grandchildren that always seemed to bring a smile to his face.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Martha Herden.

Bruce is survived by his wife Mary; three children, Willis (Teri) Herden of Belfry, Nancy (Larry) Bangert of Belfry and Ken Herden of Hysham; two brothers, Allen (Bertha) Herden of Park City and Roger (Patsy) Herden of Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Lori (Dennis) Thormahlen, Brad (Laura) Herden, Crystal (Clark) Pinkerton, Loren Bangert, Bryce Herden, Karen Bangert, Michelle Herden and Gary Bangert; and four great-grandchildren; Casey Pinkerton, Alyssa Thormahlen, Whitney Herden and Kenzie Herden.

Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Smith-Olcott Funeral Chapel in Red Lodge. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bridger. Interment will be in the Bridger Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the Belfry School Multi-purpose room.

Bruce's family would like to thank the nursing staff in ICU at Deaconess Billings Clinic, especially Stacy, for the loving care and consideration that Bruce received.