Joseph Lincoln

Joseph Milton Lincoln, 87, passed away on Tuesday , January 2, 2024, at Logan Medical Center, in Chester. Joe was born on May 3, 1936 to Edgar and Marie (Packer) Lincoln in Havre. Joe was later joined by brothers Roy, Lee, Art, and finally sister Ruth. They made their home on the family farm 20 miles north of Rudyard. Joe attended Oreana grade school and then Rudyard high school, graduating in 1954. Joe started college at Montana State College that fall. He had to leave college in the spring of 1955 when Edgar became ill. Edgar passed away that fall and Joe had to grow up fast. He was now the man of the family and in charge of the family farm. Not easy for a 19-year-old. Joe still found time to follow his dreams. In 1959 Joe became part of the IFYE program. (International Foreign Youth Exchange) He set sail for Europe and eventually ended up in Pakistan. He spent 3 months in Pakistan observing and advising Pakistani farmers. It was there that he fell in love with the Indian and Pakistani cultures.

On March 10, 1963 Joe married his lifelong love, Sandra Hansen. They would have 60 wonderful years together. From this union came two beautiful children. Janet (1965) and Jeff (1967). They made their home on the family farm that Joe grew up on. Joe and Sandra made sure that the kids had life experiences. Whether it was chores involving cows, cats, dogs, chickens, and pigs, driving tractor, truck or combine, or traveling. There were camping trips throughout Montana, a couple of road trips to the mid-west, many trips to Seattle and Portland area, and a few Calgary Stampede excursions.

Joe accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the tender age of 4 years old. He committed his life to serving Jesus. He never veered from his convictions. He and Sandra became involved with OMS international and made two trips to India to assist missionary friends there. He was also very involved with the ECNA church conference here in Montana. Joe was also active with Hill County 4-H and Farm Bureau Insurance, Joe was known throughout the community for being a kind, generous man. Always there to lend a helping hand, a word of encouragement, or spiritual guidance.

Some of Joe’s interests were photography, reading, testing new Indian restaurants, road trips and hunting. Joe learned to hunt at an early age and never lost his love of it. Whether it was just shooting gophers or going after that trophy mule deer or antelope. He was constantly telling Sandra he needed a new rifle, and on occasion she let him get one. In his later years with his memory failing, when he and Jeff were together, he would often ask Jeff many times a day, if he had applied for an antelope permit yet. Joe also thoroughly enjoyed reloading. Whether it was for himself, a friend, or a relative, he was always glad to do it.

For more than 35 years, Joe was a school bus driver. Whether it was driving kids to school from the north country, taking teams to an assortment of school events, running the shuttle bus, or filling in where needed. Joe thoroughly enjoyed driving the bus. He enjoyed the kids and the adventures they let him share in. For many years, on the last day of school, he would treat his north country kids to ice cream or something similar. A memory shared by many of his former riders.

Most of all, Joe loved his family. He did all he could to provide for them and make sure they had the spiritual foundation for life. Even after his kids had left the house, he still tried to provide for them. Whether it was buying supper whenever there was a meal out, giving the kids home grown beef, or leaving a little cash when he was done visiting. Joe also loved his grandkids. Be it going to Portland every summer to watch them show their steers at the county fair, making a special trip just for a football or soccer game, or going out to help someone celebrate a birthday or Christmas.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Roy (Fern) and Lee (Karol) .

Joe is survived by his wife, Sandra of Rudyard; daughter, Janet Griffin (Steve) of Phoenix; son, Jeff (Traci)of Hillsboro; grandchildren, Jerome of Hillsboro and Jessie Lincoln (Tyler Bickford) of St. Helens OR; brother, Art (Jan); sister, Ruth Newton (Fred); sisters-in-law, Karol Lincoln and Fern Larson; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The memorial service will be held Monday, May 6, at 2:00 pm at Calvary Evangelical Church in Rudyard.