Terry Joe Hoenstine

It was with great sadness that we announce the passing of Terry Joe Hoenstine.  If you knew Terry, you’d know it would be with even greater sadness that we would have to listen to him rant about what a crime it is that the Leader is charging us $.35 per word for this obituary (don’t worry dad, we’re using every conjunction we can).  Terry passed away November 21, 2024, in his bed, in his home that he’s owned for the last 44 years.   After a mercifully short bout of cancer, he was able to pass while being held by his wife of 58 years, Lynda and their two children, Teri and Scott.

Terry was born in Anaconda on October 16, 1942 but spent most of his youth in Seattle, Washington.  After high school he joined the military and served 2 ½ years in Germany wondering why they couldn’t serve him a cold beer.  He was honorably discharged and came back to Anaconda.  This is when he met his soulmate Lynda Blotkamp and swept her off her feet.  They were married in 1967.  For most of his adult years Terry was a carpenter.   Moreover, he was a proud union carpenter.  His hard work and skill provided a wonderful life for his family.  He also used his talents to service his friends and neighbors.  Terry always had a project going and he blessed everyone he knew with his abilities.

Whenever Terry wasn’t pounding nails, you could find him fly fishing on the Big Hole or playing pinochle up at his hunting camp on American creek.  He loved the outdoors and he loved Montana.  Terry could build anything, but his greatest creation was his family.  Besides his wife and children, he is survived by his daughter-in-law Kristin, his granddaughter Ella and her husband Colter and their son Link (Terry’s great grandson who gave him an awesome fist-bump just a couple of days before his death), his grandson Gabe and his wife Kallie, his grandson Kaleb and his granddaughter Chloe.   What Terry built in all of us will continue to grow and enrich the world.

We love you Terry and we’ll never forget you.

P.S. It only ended up costing $129.85.  You’re worth it!

Please visit www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Terry.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Terry and his family.