Bert Ellsworth Keough

Bert Ellsworth Keough, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Valley View Home in Glasgow, Mont., of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery in Glasgow.

Bert was born Dec. 22, 1932, in Glentana, Mont., to Clarence and Bernice (Stowell) Keough. He attended country schools in North Valley County through the eighth grade. He worked for the Ruffcorn Ranch for several years, and later the Cornwell Ranch. He married Mabel Rennick in 1954, and they had a daughter Penny. They later divorced. He married Connie Christiansen.

He served in the National Guard for several years, and was later employed as a heavy equipment operator for the Valley County Road Department. He joined the Operating Engineers Union Local 400 and worked for various contractors on jobs throughout the state. He retired in 2002, after 42 years in construction.

Bert was a member of the Montana State Fiddlers, and enjoyed playing his guitar and dancing at the many jam sessions held in eastern Montana. He also enjoyed square and round dancing for many years; he and Connie attended several square dance conventions. He was a farm boy at heart: buying hay land, bred cows, and raising bum calves. You could also see him frequently at McDonald's having his cup of coffee.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Penny; three sisters, Louise Robbins, Velva Sharp and Sharon Keough; and two brothers, Richard Keough and Roy Keough.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Connie; two sisters, Ila Hensler, of Missoula, Mont., and Mavis Robbins, of Cut Bank, Mont .; three brothers, Earl Keough, of Plentywood, Mont., Gerald and Robert Keough, both of Glasgow; sister-in-law Harriet Keough of Havre, Mont .; three grandchildren, Trina (Ronnie) Mullis, Jarret (Anaysha) Watson and Shelby Watson; four great-grandchildren, Harrison Mullis, Brooklyn Watson, Sealey Watson, and Azariah Watson; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.