05/27/2025
It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of Beartooth Market's Owner and Founder, Milt Bastian.
We will be celebrating his life with "Milts Last Coffee" on Saturday, May 31 from noon to two in the front Deli seating area of the grocery store. Morning coffee with friends and family were some of Milts favorite times.
Obit:
Milton Harvey Bastian, age 87, of Red Lodge, Montana passed on Sunday, May 18, 2025 surrounded by close family and friends.
Milt was born May 1, 1938, in Trail City, South Dakota to Elywn and Evelyn Bastian. Growing up he lived in Trail City and Mobridge, South Dakota before moving to Miles City, Montana in 1952. On February 22, 1958, Milt married Betty Lou Po***ck. They had two sons, Rodney and Scott. They were together until her death on January 22, 1994. Milt was lucky to find his second love, Kathleen Lockett, whom he married on June 3, 1995.
As a little kid hanging out in his uncle’s mercantile facing shelves, Milt knew he wanted to be in the grocery business. Milt started working for Safeways at age 16, bagging potatoes in the produce department. Over the years he worked his way up to store manager for Safeways. He managed stores in Buffalo, Wyoming, Lewistown and Billings, Montana and before purchasing the Red Lodge Safeway in 1979. The original store was located on Broadway until he purchased and remodeled the building at its current location in 1996. He continued to work there with his son, Rod and eventually his grandson-in-law, Shawn Halvorsen until just this past year. Milt ventured into other businesses as well such as Uncle Milty’s in the early 1990’s and then later the location became The Rocky Fork Inn Bed & Breakfast in which he and wife Kathy ran for over 15 years.
Milt is survived by his wife Kathy, son & daughter-in-law, Rod & Donna Bastian; Granddaughters Courtney Halvorsen & her husband Shawn and Ashley Laird & her husband Travis; Great Grandchildren, Sage and Kimber Halvorsen and Cayden and Emmett Laird all of Red Lodge, Montana. A brother James and Cathy Bastian of Miles City, Montana and a sister Norma Chapman of Arizona along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Betty, son Scott; three brothers, Elywn Jr, Charles and David Bastian and one sister Grace Jenson.
Supporting local organizations and non-profits was very important to Milt so please consider contributing to one in his honor.
