Alex "Max" Conner

Alex "Max" Conner, 91, passed away May 17, 2024 at Northern Montana Hospital. A memorial service will be held June 7, 2024 at 1 PM at Wilderness Funeral Homes in Chinook, with burial at Kuper Memorial Cemetery to follow.

Max was born in Chinook, MT on June 18, 1932 to Merill "Jack" and Lillian Conner. He graduated high school from Chinook High School in 1950. He then ran the grain elevator in Zurich and worked on the family farm for 5 years. He then started working for Farmers Union Insurance first as a field rep and then as an agent. Most of his career was spent in the insurance industry. When he retired from insurance, he continued with various jobs including grain elevators, security guard, and highway dept.

Max married Alice Fern Tow on June 23, 1952 in Havre, MT. Where they raised their three daughters along with hosting foreign exchange students.

Max had many passions. Square dancing was a big part of their lives for many years. Max called square dancing and taught many people all over the state for years. Woodworking was also a big passion. Making lots of beautiful toys, hall trees, garbage containers with stools. If you needed something, Max could probably make it for you. Max loved gardening and raised a large garden clear into his 80's. Max would take fresh vegetables to friends, neighbors, and the giveaway house.

Max never met a stranger, always a friend. He was known to bring new people from all over home for dinner. Max and Alice had lifelong friends from all over the country from Max meeting them either in the grocery store, gas station, on vacation, or wherever he may be. As they would always say, "The door is always open and there is always room for one more at the table". Saturday mornings were always sourdough pancakes for anyone who wanted to stop by. His sourdough starter has been in the family for close to 100 years. Max loved his family deeply, his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, were so special to him.

Max is survived by daughters Carol (Terry) Tomsheck and Nora Conner; 8 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; siblings Amelia Ann Funk, Judy Sargent; sisters in law Audrey Conner, Rachel Mikkelson, Charles and Ramona Tow, Carrie Tow; and many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Merill and Lillian Conner, sister Myrna and brother Bob, his wife Alice, daughter Denise Conner Baune Ostwald, and granddaughter Kaitlyn Baune.

The family asks that donations be made to the Chinook Senior Center in lieu of flowers.