Alvin Guse

Alvin Gustav Guse, 90 of rural Choteau died April 15, 2025 at Benefis TMC. A few weeks after his birthday last fall, Alvin proclaimed himself the longest living of 13 siblings, including "the first Alvin" who died in early childhood. This proclamation proved to be true. He lived 6 weeks longer than his sister, Anna.

Born October 4, 1934, the 11th child to Gustav Guse and Caroline Goldman Guse, Alvin was raised on a farm in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. He attended school in Corvallis, Montana graduating from Corvallis High School in 1952. It was there he met a horse gal named Sharon Hamer and married her by the end of the same year.

Alvin and Sharon spent the first few years of their marriage living in Great Falls, Montana where he worked for the Smelter. Two daughters were born in Great Falls, Theresa Lea and Carol Jean. In 1957 the young family moved to the farm of Sharons' Aunt Hattie and Uncle Otto Wagnild north of Choteau. There they would remain for over 60 years raising their family, farming, horses and a few cattle. Two more children were born in Choteau, son Leland Mark and daughter Janice Rae. Married for 66 years, Sharon passed in 2018.

With support from his family, Al continued to live alone at the farm until just a few days before his passing. A good steward of the land, he took pride in his crops, controlling weeds and rotating crops to add nutrients to the soil and prevent soil erosion. He also did a tremendous job of finishing a steer to be butchered. His biggest complaints were the tumbleweeds from neighboring parcels and the water! It either didn't rain enough, rained at the wrong time or there wasn't enough water in the reservoir to irrigate. Alvin spent many years as chairman of the Farmers Reservoir, preserving water rights for agriculture. Memories include trips up the Teton to check water measurements and also to check how the neighbors' crops compared to his own.

Al enjoyed hunting and fishing of all kinds, pack trips in the mountains with family, all who rode Arabian horses, and friends. He enjoyed bowling twice a week for many years and was an avid skier. He volunteered at Teton Pass in the late 80's and 90's helping to keep equipment in working order and anything else he could do to lend a hand. He later enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities, as well as sharing many life lessons during their visits to the farm.

To his children he taught a strong work ethic that most rural kids endured. From haying, growing crops, caring for livestock, to servicing vehicles and keeping equipment in clean working order. Everything was repairable; troubleshooting, problem solving, and planning ahead were paramount. Throw in a few building or fencing projects and that was life on the farm.

Although he didn't claim to really like horses, Alvin did support the equine endeavors of his wife and daughters. Some days it was feeding in sub-zero temperatures, or halter breaking colts. Other times it was loading up the trailer delivering sold horses to new homes across the country. Once in a while, hoping he might not notice, Sharon managed to get a new horse home! Al and Sharon also had several road trips throughout the western United States from visiting Terri in Wisconsin to driving to Alaska and taking a ferry back via the inside passage and visiting Mark at Prince Wales Island.

His survivors include three daughters from Choteau: Terri Waldner(Jake), Carol Johnson(Duane) and Janie Zwerneman(Craig). Son Mark Guse(Tama) of Columbia Falls, Montana. Grandchildren Nathan Thorne(Mandy) of Cut Bank, Trig Zwerneman(Stephanie) of Choteau and Ellie Crabtree(Chance) of Cascade. Seven great grandchildren. One sister-in-law Mary Guse of White Sulphur Springs, many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Sharon, a grandson Christopher Thorne, granddaughter Laura Thorne. Brothers: John, William, Emil, Leo, Oscar, Richard and the first Alvin. Sisters: Hilda, Tilly, Anna, Elsie and Ella.

Per his request no funeral services will be held. Frontier Funeral Home has handled the arrangements with cremation taken place. The ashes will be scattered at a later date.