Obituary - Peter Paul Wadish

Peter Paul Wadish, 83, of Chinook passed away Monday, June 22, 2015, after an extended illness.

Vigil service will be held Wednesday, July 1, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on July 2, 2015, both at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Chinook, with interment following at Kuper Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements have been made with Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.edwardsfuneralhomemt.com.

Pete was born on Nov. 20, 1931, on his parents' farm south of Zurich, where he spent his early years. He attended Snake Creek and New Hope schools, and graduated from Chinook High School in 1950. He was a member of FFA, and was also known for his spirited arguments with his English teacher, Mrs. Crochett.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1951 and served in combat during the Korean War.

Honorably discharged in 1953, Pete remained active in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1959.

After leaving active duty, he returned to the family farm and the life he loved. Over the years, he grew his farm to include his Valley residence, where he would reside for the rest of his life until his final illness  also adding the Nelson property north of Zurich, the Preston holdings, and other tracts, along with expanding into cattle ranching.

He had a great love for music and in his younger days was known to make trips to Great Falls to purchase records that were not available locally. He was very active in the Catholic Church in the past, serving as president of the Holy Name Society.

Pete married Pamela Besche on June 10, 1972, and they were blessed with two sons, Andrew and Malcolm, during their 43 years of marriage.  

Pete is survived by his wife, Pamela of Chinook; sons, Andrew of Ontario, California, and Malcolm of New Haven, Connecticut; and nieces, Debbie of Claremont, California, and Deanna of Costa Mesa, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Nellie, stepfather, Ben Christiansen, and his sisters, Julia, Klawofa and Nella.  

Memorials are suggested to PAWS of Chinook, the Dedman Foundation of Fort Benton, St Gabriel's Catholic Church or the donor's choice.