Allyn “Buster” Walter Skyberg, age 95, of rural Fort Peck, Montana passed away March 6, 2020 in Glasgow, Montana. He was born December 14, 1924 in Bonin, McCone County, Montana to Melvin and Thora (Wangsness) Skyberg. He grew up on the family ranch where, in his youth, he herded sheep and later cattle.
Allyn attended country grade school and three years of high school in Nashua and Frazer, but never finished the last year to graduate, as WWII drew his brothers away, leaving him to help with the ranch. Allyn took flying lessons in 1951 and got his pilot’s license in 1952.
On June 6, 1956 he married Dorothy Evenson. They lived on the family ranch for a year and a half. In 1957, they bought and moved to an irrigated hay farm on the Milk River southeast of Nashua, where they raised three children: Debbie, Jeff and Audrey. During this time, Allyn took a correspondence course and became a certified diesel mechanic. Allyn served on the Nashua School Board and the Valley Electric Co-op Board.
In 1972, they sold the farm and he went to work for the Glasgow Angus Ranch. In 1974, Allyn went to work for MDU at the Fort Peck Compressor Plant, where he worked his way up to Plant Supervisor. Allyn retired from MDU in 1989. In 1991, Allyn and Dorothy started to build a house on the original ranch homestead site, in McCone County, and moved in in July of 1992, where he spent his days doing yard work (digging dandelions!) and helping the neighbors. He spent his evenings and winters reading Louis L’Amour books over and over and over.
Allyn was preceded in death by his brothers Kristian and Melvin; his sister Margaret and sister-in-law Borghild.
Allyn is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy; his daughter Debrah; son, Jeffery (Mary); daughter Audrey (Perry) Breitbach; grandchildren, Megan (Layne) Thomas, Chase Breitbach, and Shelby Breitbach and great-grandson Braydon Thomas.
Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 16, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Pastor Greg Holler-Dinsmore officiating. Luncheon will follow services. Burial will be in Fort Peck Cemetery. Feel free to come in casual western wear and something turquoise (Allyn’s favorite color).