Gilbert M. Arts

Gilbert M. Arts, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, November 10, 2007. He was born to the late Matt and Dina (Bloomer) Arts on January 18, 1922 on the Flying D Ranch near Salesville, MT. which is now Gallatin Gateway. Gilbert grew up on several farms in the Gallatin Valley the last one on Cameron Bridge Rd. He served 3 1/2 years in the US Army during WW11 on several islands in the South Pacific. After the war he returned to Bozeman and worked for 9 years with Owenhouse as a farm machinery mechanic and painter when they were a dealer for International Harvester. He then went into business as a logger, contracting for Plum Creek and Idaho Pole. Hard work and ingenuity were his trademark. During the spring breakup when he was unable to work in the mountains, Gilbert drove fertilizer truck for Enos Oyler and spent many hours in his shop rebuilding and maintaining all his logging equipment. Later on he worked several years driving log truck for Jay Hargrove until he retired. Gilbert married Helen Boettger Harrison on November 9, 1950 in Webster Groves, Missouri. Together they raised her sons, William E. Harrison Robert W. Arts, at their home on North 17th in Bozeman that they built together in 1952 and where they still reside. In addition to working in his beautiful yard, Gilbert enjoyed gardening, snowmobiling, camping, and working in his shop helping friends repair whatever needed fixing and he was dam good at it. He is survived by his wife Helen, her sons, Bill Harrison (Debi), Bob Arts (Bonita), seven grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, his sister Teresa (Jerry) Brown, brother Ben (Ruby) Arts, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Dina Arts, two sisters, Catherine Shattuck, Bernarda Finnegan, and brother Ted Arts. There will be a memorial service announced at a later date. In place of flowers please send memorials to the Pioneer Museum, 317 W. Main St. Bozeman, MT 59715, or the charity of your choice. Condolences and memories shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com