Joseph Eugene Morstein

"I carry out my actions with the desire to please the Lord and then let all else come as it will." - Brother Lawrence & Frank Laubach

Joseph Eugene Morstein

Joseph Eugene Morstein was born on July 12, 1940, in Big Timber, Montana, the second child of Dorothy Helen Langston and Joseph Morstein. Affectionately called "Bugsie" by his parents and five sisters, Joe grew up in a home where hard work, quick wit, and hospitality were deeply valued.

His early memories included riding horseback to check cattle and sharpening his athletic and dancing skills while adored by his sisters. His formal education began in a one room schoolhouse in Melville. By 3rd grade, the family had moved off the ranch, to Bozeman and eventually settled in Butte, where Joe attended grade school and proudly played basketball at Butte High as the shortest member of the frosh and sophomore teams.

In 10th grade, Joe moved to Harlowton to live with his cousins, the Langston's, after his father worried he might not be big enough to make varsity at Butte High. The move proved wise. Joe thrived and grew in Harlo, competing in rodeo as a steer wrestler "bull dogger" and excelling in basketball and football. His athletic ability earned him a football scholarship to Montana Western College in Dillon.

At Western, Joe played as a half back and was an All American. In the1960 season he was the top college punter in the nation averaging of 45.7 yards per punt. He was inducted into the Western Montana College Hall of Fame in 1982. Though his academics initially lagged behind his athletic success, that changed after he married Brenda Glenn Eccleston, a "very cute" cheerleader from Anaconda, on December 17, 1960. They loved to jitter-bug, and Brenda's straight-A record inspired Joe to raise his own academic game. In November 1961, after a playoff game in Spokane, Brenda went into labor and delivered their first child, Jodi, before Joe arrived from that long road trip on the team bus. To support his growing family, Joe worked part-time for his brother-in-law as a garbage man.

After graduating with a teaching degree, Joe taught 8th grade English at Parkview Junior High, forming lifelong friendships with students and faculty. Gregg, their first son, was born in Dillon in 1964.

In 1965, the family moved to Billings, where Joe briefly sold insurance before returning to education. They later settled in Polson, where Joe taught at the Job Corps Center in Pablo. Their third child, Todd, was born in 1966. Around this time, Joe and Brenda purchased a small garbage business, Lake Disposal, which Joe operated on weekends while continuing to teach. He also moved irrigation pipe at the Polson Bay Golf Club in exchange for member privileges.

Joe and Brenda joined the United Methodist Church in Polson, a decision that transformed their lives. When the pastor asked if they would host a Bible study. Brenda couldn't refuse a clergy man and Joe couldn't skip out. They started in the book of Romans and Joe embraced a lifelong journey of faith. In 1972, they sold Lake Disposal and returned to Dillon, where he, once again, worked for Dillon Disposal, eventually buying the business. For more than two decades, they hosted college Bible studies and supported friends and the community. Joe coordinated men's retreats, led music, and spoke at graduations, weddings, and funerals. He refereed high school and college basketball for many years and was inducted into the Montana Officials Hall of Fame. His travels for games and retreats expanded his circle of friends across the state.

Joe balanced his outgoing personality with quiet hours driving a garbage truck, cultivating a deep awareness of God's love. Dillon Disposal grew steadily, and Joe continued working well into his 70s, grateful for his customers and employees. He served on the Barrett Hospital board for over 20 years, helping bring a new hospital to reality and was an active Western Montana College alumnus, supporting both academics and athletics. He also participated in the Governor's Prayer Breakfast for many years and was a board member for Chi Alpha and Provision International.

Joe and Brenda created a home where coffee and conversation were always available. They hosted countless gatherings, including legendary Labor Day weekends filled with tents, camp fire stories, kick the can and parade participation by the all-volunteer DDS Dumpster Drill Team. Joe faithfully cared for Brenda through her battle with Alzheimer's until her passing.

In 2017, Joe married Marilyn Frazier, and they enjoyed several happy years together in Dillon and "on the Flathead". Marilyn now lives at her home in Polson.

Joe's kindness, humor, and ability to truly listen touched countless lives. His greatest legacy was a practice of encouraging others to recognize how much they were loved. He saw Christ in all things-the deer in his alfalfa field, the silence of a garbage truck, the skill of great athletes, the laughter of grandchildren, and the fellowship of friends. If you were in his presence, you felt like you were his "favorite." Even as his body weakened from a neurodegenerative illness, his wit, love and genuine interest in others did not fade.

Joe is survived by his wife, Marilyn, sisters Carol Rooney, Penny Barney, and Jerrie Kae; his children Jodi, Gregg, and Todd (Julie)Morstein, dear friend Robyn Ori (John) English and grandchildren Kait (Jameson) Groot, Joseph (Shelby) Aiono-Groot, Daniel (Julia), Allie, Grayson, and Greer Morstein and great-granddaughter Eve Lion Aiono-Groot.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Joe and Dorothy, sisters Sherrie Archer and Judy Martz and his college sweetheart, Brenda.

Memorial & Celebration Service: June 6, 2026 - Keltz Arena- UMW - Dillon

Donations can be made in memory of Joe to benefit the Barrett Hospital Foundation https://barretthospital.org or Bulldog Athletics at the University of Montana Western Foundation. 710 S Atlantic Street Dillon, MT

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Lois Damon, Cathy Sinkle, Dr. John Madany, and the providers and staff of Barrett Hospital for the compassionate care and incredible kindness that was extended to all of us.