Newt Koelzer

David Newton Koelzer passed away at the age of 84 on July 27, 2023, in Missoula, MT surrounded by his family.

David Newton Koelzer was born on June 29, 1939, in Butte, MT to Rupert and Ethyl Koelzer. Newt grew up in Butte and West Yellowstone, graduating from Butte High in 1957. Dragging Park Street one night he met Carol McVay, when she asked the guy in the old Chevy truck to get her a drink of water…she’d been eating Shepperd’s caramels and after so much sugar she was thirsty. They went to a diner with some friends and when it was time for Carol to go home, Newt drove her. He asked for her phone number and nine months later they were married. To that union five children were born Steven, David, Cheryl, Jayson and Antoinette.

Newt and Carol started married life in Butte and in 1965 they moved to Miles City. From Montana then moved to California for a few years and finally made their forever home in Spring Creek, Nevada. Their time in Montana was spent raising their children and Newt was active in his children's lives and enjoyed chaperoning for the Future Farmers of America. During their time in California, Newt enjoyed volunteering at the San Diego Zoo. His favorite animal was the tiger and he enjoyed scratching their ears…almost like they were house cats!

A lifetime cribbage player, who always played to win and usually did! His best score was 28, which he achieved a couple of times, against his son David and his mother. Newt enjoyed many hobbies throughout his life and he was a very talented artist and jeweler. Over his lifetime he built impressive model boats from historical junks to military ships to sailing boats. He was also a talented gunsmith and built many muzzleloaders with custom designed stocks. He was an avid model train builder and had a track running around his shop. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and built a Mercedes Roadster car.   

Newt was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Carol, both parents, sisters Paula and Teresa and all of his half-siblings. Newt is survived by his children; Steven Koelzer, David (Jana) Koelzer of Dickinson, TX, Cheryl Koelzer of Missoula, MT, Jayson (Holly) Koelzer of Uniontown, OH, and Toni (Terry) LeBlanc of Missoula, MT, grandchildren; Christen (Jake Birkholz) LeBlanc, Korey (Dani) Koelzer, Courtney (Nick) Kircos, Kolten Koelzer, Sarah Riazati, Chance LeBlanc, Ben (Dane) Johnston, Carleigh LeBlanc, Jasmine (Resa Mirzaei) Riazati, David Riazati, Megan (Kelly) Kilby and Madeline (David) Atkinson, eight great-grandchildren; Athena & Cleopatra Kircos, Aria Truzzolino, Millie Kate Koelzer, Vivian & Newton Birkholz, Jameson Koelzer and Hunter Adkinson. And numerous nieces and nephews.