Andrew "Andy" Link

Andrew (Andy) Philip Link, age 74, embarked peacefully on his final adventure in this life on March 1. 2025 at his home on Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana.

Andy was born on April 22, 1950 in Chicago, IL to parents Allen and Florence (Oskvarek) Link. He was the third of eleven children. He graduated from Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, IL in 1968. He graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in business and, while in Colorado, developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors and the rugged western lifestyle. Shortly after graduating, he married Lynn, the mother of his four children and moved to western Montana where he lived the rest of his life.

Andy built a career serving clients in financial services, selling life insurance and working as an agent with Northwestern Mutual Life and, later, as the General Agent for The Guardian where he built the Northern Rockies Financial Group, now WestPac Wealth Partners in Missoula, MT. Andy’s genuine care and integrity earned him the respect and friendship of his clients and peers.

Over the years, Andy’s passion for the outdoors took many forms. He climbed many of Montana's mightiest mountains - often in blue jeans - including Granite Peak, McDonald Peak, and Mount Cleveland. In addition, he has summited Wyoming’s Grand Teton and Gannett Peak, Idaho’s Borah Peak, and Huayna Potosi in Bolivia. He loved skiing, hunting, fishing, backpacking, and camping.

Throughout his life, each experience was enriched by the friends and family he shared them with. Often the source of energy (and the epicenter of the jokes), Andy was always the life of the party. He took great pride in his children and their spouses, stayed in close regular contact with his siblings around the country, and joined friends on adventures like skiing in Canada and venturing deep into The Bob Marshall Wilderness. In his final decade, he found his wife and soulmate Aleta who was an ideal travel partner for exotic and beautiful destinations around the world.

Andy’s legend features in countless incredible stories told and retold by those who loved him. If you knew Andy, you almost certainly have some wild stories of your own. Andy’s family is collecting these stories and we would love for you to share yours. Please visit www.IKnewAndyLink.com.

As a Christian, Andy was always guided by faith to strive for a virtuous life in service of a relationship with Jesus Christ. He credits this larger purpose, which he inherited from his parents, with the success and strong community stewardship of his children. Andy now rests in the loving arms of our Savior, patiently expecting a joyful reunion with family and friends in heaven.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Garden City Funeral. Memorial Services will be on March 29 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers Andy requests lower marginal tax rates and less unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy, particularly in the financial sector.

Here is another way to donate to a cause close to Andy's heart.  (https://www.campmarshallmontana.org/in-memory-of-andy-link)

Andy is survived by his wife, Aleta Link, the mother of his children, Lynn Link, four children, Jedidiah (Tiffany) Link, Aeravi (Nate Ayer) Link, Ruth (Tyler) Hackney, and Rachel (Drew) Harding, two step children, Alishka Gusky and Brianna Gusky and four grandchildren, Ryder, Sierra, Ellie, and Hayden.