Daniel Felska

 On December 14, 2024, at the age of 82, Daniel Jerome Felska unexpectedly passed away from natural causes at his home in Helena, MT. Dan was born to Daniel “Jerome” Felska and Evelyn “Torg” Torgerson Felska on December 16, 1941, in St. Paul, MN. A younger sister, Kathleen “Kay” Felska joined their family in 1943.

Dan’s family moved to Conrad, MT, to operate the Ben Franklin store when Dan was a young child. He spent all of his schooling years in Conrad, graduating from Conrad High School in 1959. Immediately following graduation, his father became ill and could no longer work in the family business so Dan, at the age of 18, stayed in Conrad and took over managing the Conrad Ben Franklin store. He then became the head of the household taking care of his family.

Even as a child, Dan was a horseman who began by riding Pete Schultz’s ponies in many local parades to owning his own horses while he hit the rodeo circuit as a calf roper. In 1973, Dan married Elizabeth “Betty” Smith and their mutual love of horses may have been what brought them together. Through this marriage, Dan gained an immediate family with Betty’s children, Duane, Clete, and Katie, whom he treated as his own, and later a child they shared together, Dusty.

Dan led a life of strong work ethic and professionalism and he looked and dressed the part accordingly. He was a well-respected, fair and honest businessman. His career, which began at the Ben Franklin store in Conrad, evolved to owning additional stores in Shelby, Browning, and Cut Bank. Dan was known for his kindness in serving these communities and would often quietly help those who were in need.

Later, with his long-time business partner and friend, Audie Solvie, Dan expanded his work to include developing shopping centers in Conrad (1972) and Cut Bank (1978), a motel in Cut Bank (1980) and their biggest venture of renovating a motel in Bozeman (1985) which became the GranTree Inn. His entrepreneurial skills continued for 66 years and along the way he mentored and helped many others get their start in the business world including right up to his passing.

Along with running his businesses, Dan also spent 25 years of breeding, owning, and training racehorses with Betty while traveling all over the state on the Montana horse racing circuit and later racing in Minnesota and Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was very involved with all aspects of the horse industry, serving on various boards and associations. Their horse racing business was as successful as most of Dan’s endeavors in life.

Upon their retirement from horse racing, Dan and Betty moved to Helena where they have spent the past 23 years, but Dan never ever retired. At age 62, he got his real estate license and sold and developed properties in the area. Dan thoroughly enjoyed Helena and their home on Hauser Lake became a favorite place to entertain his kids, grandkids, and neighbors.

From his place in Conrad to his cabins in East Glacier and Helena, being outdoors and working on his property was his favorite hobby. Whether he was fencing, watering, or mowing, he loved taking care of the land. Other hobbies included bowling and traveling and cruising all over the world with Betty, as well as trips to Hawaii and Mexico with his children and grandchildren.

Dan was very social and, according to Betty, “liked to gab.” He regularly attended several coffee groups from Pondera/Olson’s Drug and Homes Café in Conrad to the Lakeside Store in Helena. Wherever he traveled he made sure to include a stop where he could pop in and chat with an old friend. His many friendships over the years were always very important to him.

These last few years Dan was extremely committed to caring for his wife of 51 years who continues to struggle with Alzheimer’s. His family is extremely grateful for all of his love and support. Dan followed his kids’ and grandkids’ many events and he never missed an opportunity to share how proud he was of all of them. His dedication to his family was ultimately his greatest legacy. The impact he had on all who knew and loved him was immeasurable.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Torg and Jerome, and sister, Kay Grimm. He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Helena, children, Duane Rowe, of Bozeman, Clete (Sherri) Linebarger, of Bozeman, Katie (Doug) Vandolah, of Choteau, Dusty (Kiersti), of Bozeman, grandchildren, Lindsey Vandolah, Ashley (Brett) Kuca, Tay Rowe, Conner (Callie) Linebarger, Lexi Linebarger, and Kiera Jo Felska and great-grandchildren, Millie and Liam Kuca. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Susie Durocher, and brother-in-law, Gene Grimm, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Dan’s honor can be made to the Conrad Fire Department, 15 5th Ave SW, Conrad, MT 59425, where Dan was a volunteer and served for twenty years. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service is planned for Friday, April 11, at 11:00 AM at Pondera Valley Lutheran Church, Conrad.