Neil G Toma

Neil G Toma passed away on November 1, 2023, due to natural causes.

Neil was born in Townsend, Montana on September 30, 1943. He was the sixth of six children born to Eli and Marion Toma, and was raised on a ranch near Radersburg, Montana. On the ranch, Neil learned the value of hard work that helped him later in life. He had to travel to Townsend for school, and later lived with his sister, Dorothy LeTempt in Three Forks and finished school in Willow Creek. He graduated from Willow Creek High School in 1961.

Neil married Sharon Ranney of Three Forks in 1963. They had one daughter, Susan (Tracey) Fligg of Tiffin, Iowa.

Neil hired out for the Milwaukee Railroad in Three Forks in 1963. He started out as a trainsman then was promoted to conductor in 1967 and later an engineer in 1979. In 1980, The Milwaukee Railroad folded up lines west and he went east to continue his engineering career. He worked in Eldon, Iowa and Later in Ottumwa. Neil and Sharon divorced and he moved back to Montana in the early 1990s and worked for the M&W in Three Forks as a mechanic until he could retire. He remained in the area until his death.

Neil had many friends and loved to have a good time. He had a youthful spirit and a great sense of humor and had a predisposition to tell jokes. In conversing with him, it was difficult to determine when he was serious or when he was telling a story. We loved playing cards with him even though you would seldom beat him.

Because there were many who had helped Neil, Neil in turn wanted to help people less fortunate than himself. He seemed to have empathy and compassion for their life struggles.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents (Eli and Marion Toma), sister (Ellen Harden), and brothers (Jim and Eli ‘Tiny’ Toma).

He is survived by his daughter Susan, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, his sisters Mildred Shoenecke and Dorothy LeTempt, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Services are pending.