Arley L. Jolliffe

Arley Lincoln Jolliffe, 92, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Great Falls. He was a twin, and the last of 11 children born to James and Nora Jolliffe in St. John, North Dakota on February 13, 1927. He attended school in Rolla through eighth grade. Arley was inducted into the Army on July 18, 1945 serving in France and Belgium. After discharge, he worked construction in Missoula followed by installing REA lines in northeast and central Montana.

Arley and Vera Mae “Maize” Wilkie were classmates. They reconnected after the war through Arley’s best friend, Vern Wilkie (Maize’s brother), and were married in 1950 in Rolla. First son, Tim, was born after which the new family moved to the Bills’ ranch south of Dupuyer. Second son, Bob, was born in 1953 followed by daughter Gail in 1955. Arley also worked for Parley Stokes of Pendroy. Hunting was a passion; he covered much of the area on the Front west of Dupuyer.

Because of his reputation for hard work, he was in great demand. Arley farmed north of Cut Bank for Ted Skelton and then Bill McAlpine, where wife, Vera Mae, passed in 1966. Arley and Geraldine Lindseth of Choteau were married in 1967. Daughter, Cathy Lehnerz, and son, Ron Lehnerz, joined the family followed by daughter, Julie’s birth in 1968.

Arley purchased the ranch north of Pardue elevator in 1969 and worked it until the sale in 1990. He then worked for Jerry Swenson and Maynard Nygaard. Arley could run any piece of machinery, fix, rebuild and construct almost anything imaginable. This passion led to a shop full of lawn mowers and golf carts in any assemblance of disarray. But that was only until he could make them whole again!

Arley was active in Snowgoers, the Elks and Moose clubs, and other organizations in Cut Bank. He loved golf and telling stories. After Gerry’s passing in 2012, Arley continued to reside on the ranch until a stroke in 2014. He recovered and returned to the Villas in Cut Bank, later moving to the GCC assisted living in late 2017. He loved his independence and enjoyed driving around town making sure all was well. Arley resided  at GCC until his passing.

Arley was preceded in death by all 10 of his siblings as well as spouses, Maize and Gerry and son, Tim. He is survived by children, Ron Lehnerz (Kathy) of Arizona, Bob (Lani) of Alaska, Cathy Schulte (Paul) of Wolf Creek, Gail Mitchell (Doug) of Spokane and Julie Fortune (Jim) of East Glacier along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial mass will be Saturday, May 25, at 2:00pm at St. Margaret's Catholic Church.

A Reception will follow at the Cut Bank Moose Lodge.