John William Sitzman

John Sitzman, 89, of Park City, Montana  went to be with his Lord and Savior on April, 29, 2019 at Highgate Senior Living in Billings, Montana.

John was born in Park City  November 24, 1929, the second of 5 children, to John and Marie (Bernhardt) Sitzman.  He was baptized and confirmed May 28, 1944, and married Dorothy Katherine Steinmetz on June 14, 1953, all in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Park City.  His confirmation verse was Luke 11:28, “Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it!”

He grew up in Park City, attended school there and in Billings. He graduated from Billings Senior High in 1950, then farmed with his dad in Park City.  On February 18, 1951, he enlisted in the Marine Corps at Salt Lake City, Utah, but was medically discharged March 9, 1951. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, he tried to join the Army, but wasn’t accepted there either. He returned home to farm with his dad again.  He also worked nights at Bathurst TV in Laurel for several years fixing televisions at various homes.

In 1972, he purchased his dad’s farm and worked it until 1986 when he purchased an 18-wheeler and decided to go trucking with Dorothy across the United States.  A friend drove with him for about a month so he would get the hang of it. Then Dorothy went with him and they continued trucking for a little over seven years, hauling loads across the United States and Canada.  They started out hauling for Waggoner’s Trucking in Billings. Later, they ran under Sioux Line Trucking of Fargo, N.D. and ended up with Meadow Lark Trucking in Billings.  They met many wonderful people on the road and learned a lot also. They took turns driving and did well in the trucking industry.  Customers they hauled to and from were often eager to meet them.

After trucking, they retired and became snowbirds.  They traveled to Disney World in Florida with their children, then the West Coast, and also to the East Coast.  After John could no longer help with the traveling, they stayed in the Phoenix and Yuma, AZ areas. 

John is survived by Dorothy and their children:  Randy (Kristin) of Billings; Rick (Kathleen) of Morehead City, N.C.; Gregory (Kelly) of Elizabeth, CO; seven grand-children; one great- grandchild; and three siblings: Donna Eckhoff, of Tacoma, WA; Lillian (Henry) Weschenfelder, Shepherd, MT; and Walter (Bonnie) Sitzman, of Park City, MT. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cindy Ann Sitzman, his parents, brothers-in-law: Ray (Donna) Eckhoff & Al (Betty) Kraft.

John’s memorial worship service will be Saturday May 11th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 301 1st Street Southwest, Park City, MT, Rev. Russell Dewell presiding. Memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.