Arnold Evon Anderson passed away June 12, 2023, at the age of 87. He was born August 26, 1935, at Saint Clare Hospital in Fort Benton, Montana, the fourth child of Noel and Agnes (Aklestad) Anderson. He was named after local doctor Evon L. Anderson and Fort Benton residents were unaware that his first name was Arnold until he was in his seventies. For years he was only known as Evon. He graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1953 with honors. During those years he was active in chorus, band, and served as school photographer. Boy Scouts provided excellent training in his teens and he was fortunate to attend a Jamboree along with others from Fort Benton and Highwood.

Montana State University in Missoula is where Evon furthered his education for the next eight years. He received a Political Science degree as well as a law degree with one intervening year for Army Reserve service. It was at MSU (now U of M) where he met Beverly Dale of Estevan, Saskatchewan. They were married on August 27, 1956, and continued living in Missoula until Evon received his LLB in 1961. It was during his first year of law school that Keith Alan was born, and Dale Evon arrived during the third year of law school. Bev spent those years as secretary for the School of Business Administration.

In 1961 they moved to Fort Benton, Evon's hometown, where he practiced law and also served as City Attorney and Chouteau County Attorney for a number of years. Four years he spent traveling in seven north-central Montana counties as Montana Legal Services Association Staff Attorney. In his final twenty-three years prior to retirement, he served as Fort Benton City Judge.

Organizations that occupied Evon's time included State Bar of Montana United Methodist Church; charter member of Signal Point Golf Club; Past Patron of Bethany Chapter # 42, Order of Easter Star; Past Master of Benton Lodge #25, AF&AM; Algeria Temple (Shrine); Montana City Attorney's Assn; Kiwanis International (secretary); Boy Scouts of America (member and Scoutmaster); and Treasure Statesmen Barbershop Chorus.

Leisure activities included fishing, bird hunting, golf, and bowling. His bowling team was state champion in 1964. Special weekends were spent participating in bowling and golf tournaments. A trip to Hawaii, sailing through the Panama Canal, visiting relatives in Alaska plus many family trips to Glacier Park created special memories over the years.

Evon was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Noel Junior and Robert, sister Emogene and son Dale, who was killed in the Montana Band plane crash on July 4, 1987.

He is survived by wife Bev of 66 years; son Keith of Miles City; grandson Erik and granddaughter Kelsey; great-grandchildren McKenna and Nolan; as well as nieces and nephews on both sides of the border.

No services are planned. If you would like to honor his memory please make a memorial donation to the Memorial Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 653, Fort Benton, Mt 59442 or the charity of your choice. Please visit Evon's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at www.bentonfh.com.