Malta- Fred Itcaina passed away on August 10,
2019 at the age of 92.
The family will receive friends at 7
PM on Thursday, August 15 at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel.
Funeral Mass will be 10 AM on Friday August 16, at Saint Mary’s
Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery.
Condolences for the family may be left at
www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com
Ferdinand (Fred) Itcaina was born in
Urepel, France on September 13, 1926 to Juan (Jean) and Leonie (Oyarzun)
Itcaina. He was the oldest of seven children, raised on
the French side of the Pyrenees Mountains in the Basque Country.
He finished school at a young age, worked for his parents
tending the livestock, and then served in the French military.
Fred left his family and homeland and emigrated to the United
States in the fall of 1948 planning to go to work for his Uncle
Pete Itcaina at his sheep ranch in Montana. After arriving
in the US, he went to California first and stayed with family
for a few months. In the spring of 1949, he came to Montana and
began working for his uncle at the Matador Ranch south of Malta.
In 1951 his brother, Jean joined him in Montana. After
gaining experience and learning the operations of a large sheep
ranch, while working for Pete, they decided to form the Itcaina
Brothers partnership in 1957. They ran their livestock on
the Hartmann Ranch and at the Big Warm location. Fred
loved being out on the open range caring for his sheep and
cattle where he could see for miles.
In 1963 he married Evelyn Miller. They had three daughters
Darlene, Rachelle (who passed away shortly after birth) and
Beverly. After his Uncle Pete passed away in 1967, Fred,
Jean and John Sallaberry formed a corporation combining their
assets and the purchase of the Matador Ranch. As the new
owners, they took over the operations of the Ranch and continued
to run both sheep and cattle. In 1981 Beverly passed away
and in 1985 Fred became a widower. Seven years later he married
Madaline Williamson and his family grew and was blessed with the
addition of her four children Deb, Kathy, Milo, And Jack.
The ranch was sold in 2000 and he
gradually worked into retirement. Fred, Madaline, and John spent
their summers at the Hartmann Ranch. In the winter John would go
to France and Fred and Madaline would stay in Malta where they
enjoyed spending time with their friends and going to events.
After becoming a widower in 2015 most of his time was spent in
Malta with his family.
Fred enjoyed reading and keeping up
on current events locally, nationally and internationally. He
spent time studying maps and was very knowledgeable about the
geography of Montana, the US and the world. He was always
interested in politics and was very proud to be an American
citizen. He was a man of few words much of the time, but
when he did speak his words were laced with knowledge and
experience. He also had a great sense of humor and always
made people laugh where ever he went.
Fred was a member of the Knights of
Columbus and a very dedicated parishioner of St Mary’s Church.
His faith was very important to him. He felt honored to be
a member of the Malta Club (Bucket), and he looked forward to
the dinners and seeing his friends every month. He
had memberships in the MT Wool Growers Association, the National
Wool Growers Association and the Montana Stock Growers
Association. He also served on the Phillips County Hospital
Board.
Fred is survived by his daughter,
Darlene (Charles) Itcaina-Idehen; four step children: Deb (Lee)
Wolfe, Kathy (Steve) Plettenberg, Milo (Ira) Jennings and Jack
(Kelly) Williamson and ten step grandchildren; as well as step
great grandchildren. He had numerous nieces and nephews
including Leona (Paul) Siewing and Terri (DJ) La Verdure who
were like daughters to him and their children were like his
grandchildren. His three sisters: Marieanne Iribarren, Marie
Angele Igoa and Hennriette Itcaina living in France. He is also
survived by his lifelong friend, John Sallaberry, who has been
like a brother to him.
He was preceded in death by his first
wife, Evelyn and daughters Rachelle (infant daughter) and
Beverly; his second wife, Madaline; brother, Jean and sisters;
Helene Ernaut, and Yvonne Diharce.
Guest Book
From: Christi Williams
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, especially his amazing daughter, Darlene. May God hold you all in his peace and comfort you during this difficult time.
From: Mark LaFond
We will be praying for Darlene and the rest of his family during this difficult time. His hard work, friendship, infectious smile, generosity, and sense of humor will continue to inspire and motivate us. We count ourselves blessed to know such a decent man who made the world a better place.
From: Beverly LaFond
Dear Darlene,
Your father was the first person to welcome us when we retired from the Air Force and settled in Malta, July 1975. it was a privilege to visit him on July 3 this year and tell him how much his long friendship meant to our whole family. We are thankful that he had you to give him the best care possible when he needed it.
We send our love and sympathy,
Roger and Beverly LaFond
From: Dennis Broadbrooks
I new Fred as a very nice man. He respected you and he showed that. Fred was always ready for a visit and it was a nice visit, he made you feel good. My side of family also came from France.There are a few who could learn a lesson from Fred's behavior! We will all miss him! Rest in peace my friend.
From: John and Sherry Demarais
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
From: Granada Family
Deepest sympathies on the passing of your father, Darlene. Another Basquo has gone home to rest - well done good and faithful servant.
Genna, Carol and Gene Granada
From: Greg Peterson
Fred was indeed a great person, a true gentleman, and a joy to know. I really appreciate the time I spent with him at the 9-6 and Don Robinson. We have truly lost one of the last of a dying breed.
From: Anne Boothe
God blessed our community with Fred.
I was fortunate to share a moment with him in the shadow of the Hartman Barn as he told our small tour group his story of coming to America "to be free." I can still hear his words and feel the shivers. He hugged me and said God brought him here.
God called you again Fred, rest in his loving peace.
From: Bob Gilbert
My sympathy to the family and to daughter Darlene. I met Fred after I took the job at Woolgrowers. He was my roommate on trips organized by Mwga after National conventions. He had me visit the ranch and we went to Zortman for dinner. He and family left after dinner and I stayed with John Salsberry until closing time. Was fun wine always at meals.
I didn't here of his passing until after services. I would have gone as Fred was a special friend.
My sympathy Darlene. Your Dad was a special guy and he loved you!
Bob Gilbert, Helena.
Guest book submissions may be made using the link to the left.
