Cloudy, 53° F
(Dec. 6, 2007)
Gary Glenn Mollenbrink died Thursday, Dec. 6 at his home in Billings, ending his struggle with colon cancer. He was 55.
He was born in Deadwood, S.D., on Jan. 1, 1952, son of Jack and Janis (Williamson) Mollenbrink. He was the second of two sons. The family relocated to Greybull where sisters Sherry and Andrea were born.
In 1960, Gary and siblings moved to Fort Robinson, Neb., with mother Janis and stepfather, Dale J. Wright. They moved to Billings four years later when Dale became foreman of the Bar Diamond Ranch north of Billings.
Gary graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1970. He began driving semi-truck for West Chem Feeds and trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Gary became an EMT first responder in 1977 and began a career as a certified EMT/Paramedic. In 1995, he became a triage paramedic and patient care technician at Deaconess Medical Center in Billings.
From 1997 to mid-2000, Gary was a phlebotomist and mobile supervisor for United Blood Services.
After working in the medical field for over 23 years, Gary changed professions in October 2000 and began seasonal work as a semi-tractor driver pulling double belly-dump trailers, hauling sugar beets for American Driver Service. Gary worked this job right up to Oct. 25, 2005 — the day before he went in for colon surgery.
He would put on a courageous battle with cancer for the next two years.
Gary’s dear friend, Judy, was by his side at his death; a presence Gary’s family believes he truly was aware of, although he was in a deep coma. Gary and Judy met while both were phlebotomists. They maintained a genuine friendship.
Gary married Marla (Bea) Patton in 1977. They divorced in 1981.
Survivors include brother Terry (Janet) Mollenbrink of Greybull; sisters Sherry (Bill) Byxbe of Billings and Andrea Hawthorne of Powell; stepmother Helen Gay Mollenbrink and stepsiblings Robert (Ange’) Workman, David (Karen) Workman, John (Deborah) Workman, all of Utah, Dell (Leisha) Workman of Spokane, Wash., and Claudia (Lloyd) Mayes of Lovell; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Mollenbrink; mother Janis L. Wright; stepfather Dale J. Wright; grandparents, Andy and Lou Williamson and John and Mae Mollenbrink; and nephews, Ryan Mollenbrink and Kenneth Workman.
Funeral services are scheduled today (Tuesday), Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. at Haskell Funeral Home in Lovell, with burial at Lovell Cemetery.
