From 1895 until 1949 the congregation of the Choteau United Methodist Church worshipped in a building across the street from the present red brick church. In July of 1949 the old 1895 church was moved across the street and set on part of the concrete foundation prepared for construction of the new church. The new church was then built around the old nave, incorporating it into the 1949 building.
On the street facing (east) end, the church sports a Roman arched window with a round window inside and the Methodist logo. This window has been dedicated "
". Below the window is a plaque which states that it was "
".
Jay Dunckel, who passed away September 13th, 2015, was a lifetime resident of Choteau and a former mayor of Choteau. Excerpts from Jay's obituary are below.
Vi (Vivian) Olson passed away July 1, 2013. A native of Great Falls, Vi came to Choteau to ranch with her husband Bud in 1948 and has been an active member of the Choteau United Methodist Church since 1949. Excerpts from her obituary are also below.
John L. "Jay," Dunckel III
John L. "Jay," Dunckel III, 75, a lifetime resident and former mayor of Choteau, Mont. passed away at his home on Sept. 13th, 2015 after a valiant fight against cancer, with his wife, Jerry by his side.
He was born Feb. 14, 1940 to John and Edith Dunckel and raised in Choteau. A graduate of Choteau High School, he graduated from Montana State University where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and competed on the college baseball team. After earning a degree in secondary education, he taught in Denton, Havre and Choteau for three years before returning to his hometown to go into the insurance and tax preparation business with his father. With the addition of other employees, the agency was re-named WestMont Agency, and they established agencies in Augusta, Bigfork and Polson, as well as the agency in Choteau with insurance, accounting and real estate sales as the forefront of the business. He retired from the business in 1995, but continued to work in investments and tax accounting.
He and Jerry Little were married June 15, 1960 and they have resided in Choteau where they raised their four children.
Jay was active in many community and state activities. He has been a member of the Choteau United Methodist Church since 1957, alderman on the Choteau City Council, member of the County Cemetery Board, the baseball commission, Choteau Certified Communities, a Lions Club swim team parent, and a member of the Old Trail Museum board. His strong loyalty to his community also saw him as a member and officer of the Choteau Jaycees, and he went on to hold many local and state offices in that organization, including receiving the national award of one of 10 outstanding state vice presidents in 1969. His mathematical skills led him to hold the treasurer's position in many organizations, including, secretary-treasurer of the Choteau Country Club, treasurer of the Teton Investment Club, president of the Teton County Development Corporation, Project PRIDE chairman and treasurer of the United Methodist Church. He was a member of the George Coffey Trust for the benefit of the Boy Scouts for more than 10 years. Choteau and its community meant the world to him. He held deep pride in his small hometown.
From Legacy Dot Com
Vivian Olson 1922 - 2013
Choteau —Violet Vivian Moore, the second of three daughters, was born June 17, 1922 to Victoria and Walter Moore in Great Falls, MT. Violet "Vi" attended Great Falls schools, and the College of Great Falls where she studied bookkeeping.
In 1941, Vi met a young soldier, Bud Olson, who would become her husband following his return from World War II. Bud reports that Vi wrote him everyday while he was in the army. Her letters were often the only bright spot in his day. Vi and Bud celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary this past May.
Following their wedding, Vi and Bud moved to a farm south of Great Falls. In 1948 they purchased a cattle ranch west of Choteau on the Teton River where they raised their two children, Gary and Judy. They lived on the family ranch until two years ago when they moved to Choteau.
Vi was an active member of the Choteau United Methodist Church since 1949; a founding member of the "River Rats"; an avid bowler and card player. Later in life Bud and Vi enjoyed traveling with family and friends. Vi's favorite trips included Hawaii, an Alaskan Cruise, Disney Land, Disney World, the Oregon Coast and Washington, DC.
Vi never met a person she didn't consider a friend. Quite the extrovert, she loved to visit, tell stories and entertain. She was known for her hospitality. There was always a pot of coffee on for visitors and if they were lucky, a pan of her home-made cinnamon rolls. She was extremely proud of her four grandsons and kept a file of trophy pictures of their successful hunting and fishing trips.
From Legacy Dot Com