Arne Grosfield, Jr.

Arne M. Grosfield Jr. passed away at his home in Big Timber Montana on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025. Arne was born in Billings, Montana on April 28th, 1948, to Arne A. and Bertha (Lien) Grosfield. Arne grew up on a family-owned ranch at the base of the Crazy Mountains, Swamp Creek Angus Ranch. Arne attended Sweet Grass County High School where he graduated in 1967. As an adult Arne took over management and eventually ownership of the sprawling 6,000+ acre ranch.

Arne is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Eileen Grosfield (Moos) and her husband Richard Moos. Arne leaves behind one brother, Dale (Marjean) Grosfield, three nephews David Moos, Alan (Christina) Moos, and Kevin (LeAnna) Moos, two nieces Deanie (Craig) Yost and Patty (Doug) Lehman, and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.

 Arne was proud of his Norwegian heritage and was a member of the local Big Timber chapter of the Sons of Norway, serving as president for five years. Arne was an active member and volunteered for numerous projects to support and promote the organization. Arne was well known for helping organize the Sons of Norway Viking ship float seen in many local parades, dressing in character and leading the charge. Arne’s other passion was the Big Timber Jaycees where he served as the local Jaycee president, a director for district 1080, and was honored as an International Senator for the United States Jaycees. Being part of the Jaycees meant everything to Arne, he enjoyed traveling across the state to attend conventions, served as chairman of the Big Timber rodeo committee, and participated in numerous fundraising events. 

 The ranch was Arne’s true passion. Although it was difficult and demanding work, especially in the dead of winter, it was what he truly lived for. He was a well-known and respected Angus cattle breeder, raising quality calves year after year. One of his proudest achievements was increasing his calf sale weights from 450 pounds when he first took over the ranch, to 650 pounds prior to his retirement just a few short years ago. The ranch provided a good living despite the lean years and the constant challenges. The ranch also provided for his love of four wheeling, fishing, and especially hunting. The ranch was prime deer and elk country, and he always had guests visiting the ranch during hunting season. Unfortunately, there was a cost to all those elk, they loved his hay and alfalfa fields. They were unwelcome “lawn mowers”, eating their way across the fields, and he would often joke about doing his fair share to feed the wildlife. The herds steadily increased in numbers and the season went from permit only to open season…Arne did his part. 

When Arne needed an escape from the ranch it was usually to Ilwaco, Washington at the mouth of the Columbia River for deep sea fishing. Arne would take off at the end of each summer and enjoy a few weeks fishing for salmon, tuna, rockfish and lingcod. For the past several years Arne would take his most beloved cattle dog, Cindy, along for the ride. Cindy loved to play on the beach and enjoyed the trips as much as Arne. Cindy could sense when Arne was preparing for the annual trip and was just as excited as he was. Arne almost always came back with a truck full of fish to share with family and friends.

An affirmed bachelor, Arne was a regular in local bars and restaurants. He was quick to make friends wherever he went and was the life of the party on too many occasions. He will be missed by family, friends and Cindy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Big Timber Lutheran Church.  A reception will immediately follow at the church.  Interment will take place at 3:00 p.m., at Mt. View Cemetery in Big Timber.  For those that cannot attend, the church will be live streaming the service on their Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sons of Norway at Citizen Bank & Trust, PO Box 847, 130 McLeod St., Big Timber, MT 59011. 

For those that cannot attend the service, the church will be live streaming on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/3SiXuKVH6gk?si=LiuWWzszZReBR90s

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