Lowell Leroy Costin

Lowell Leroy Costin passed away March 26th, 2025 surrounded by family at Westpark Village at the age of 86.

Leroy was born February 8, 1939 in Dodson, Montana.  He was the oldest of three children of his mother Lucille Wallis.

Leroy grew up in Saco and moved to the Arnott Ranch in 1947.  He graduated from Saco High School in 1957 and lived in Havre and Glasgow for a short time before joining the Army in 1959.  He was stationed in Wharton Barracks in Heilbronn Germany.  This is where he met Marianne and they would remain together until her passing in March of 2021.  

After being discharged in 1962, Leroy came home to work with his parents on the family ranch.  Marianne stayed back and studied to become a US Citizen, joining him in 1963 when they were married in Saco.

Leroy and Marianne had 3 boys: David, Tim and Steven. They were all raised on the ranch where they were taught the value of work and family.

Ranching, visiting friends and neighbors, and basketball were the most valued aspects of life at the Costin Ranch.  It was never boring as Leroy and Marianne loved having friends and neighbors over.  There were plenty of times that kids were woken up from friend's living rooms to head home after a long night of whist.

Leroy had some unique talents.  He was a very good pool and poker player.  He was known to give haircuts and if he got frustrated, they might be good for several months.  David moved back to the ranch and also coached basketball on the side.  This was a good form of entertainment as Leroy liked to coach up the coach on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Leroy felt most at home being on a horse working cattle.  He was a true cowboy.

As the years moved on, Leroy became a big fan of his grandkids.  Always proud of their accomplishments and taking pride in their successes big and small.  We are all surprised that the tapes of past basketball games still work from being watched so many times.

Leroy moved to Billings in 2022 to Westpark Village.  He was extremely popular there and he really livened the place up according to many employees there.  Not much happened for those 3 years that Leroy didn't know about and the staff took exceptional care of Leroy as his health deteriorated from Parkinson's disease.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marianne, his mother Lucille Wallis, step father’s Stan Arnott and Bryce Wallis, grandsons Spencer and Landon Costin.

He is survived by his sons, David and his wife Coleen, their children Jeremy, Nate and Benjamin; Tim and his wife Suzie, their children Quin, Clay and Finley; Steven and his wife Brandi, their children Elijah and Shelbi.  Brother Dennis Kuether and wife Cathy, sister Jane Loga and husband Dennis.

Services will be held April 26th at the Wilderness Funeral Chapel in Malta, MT at 2 PM. 

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