Todd Jeffery Voss, age 50, died on July 18, 2012 at home among family in Helmville, Montana.
Todd was born in Valentine Nebraska on July 25, 1961 to Eldon Glen Voss and Faye Janice Metzger. Todd spent his younger years in Nebraska and Kansas. Todd had a deep appreciation and understanding of nature and spent as much time as possible outdoors. At age 13 he left Kansas for the summer and went to work on a ranch at the foot of the Big Horn mountains out of Wyola, Montana where he first met his future wife Suzanne Fuller.
Todd’s family moved to Beaver Tail, Montana where he ran a trap line in the mornings before going to school and was an avid hunter. Todd left school in 1979 and marched forward into a life of trapping and ranching. During the summer of 1980 on a cattle drive over the Big Horn Mountains he again met up with his future wife and they began dating. Todd and Suzanne were married on March 28, 1981 and settled into ranching on Lodge Grass Creek and the Little Big Horn River along the Big Horn Mountains. Todd and Suzanne moved to Juneau, Alaska for a time where Todd worked in the house construction business with his father. Todd graduated from the Erv Malnarvitch Guide School in the Bitterroot Valley and worked for a season as a guide in the Idaho Wilderness Area. Todd, Suzanne, and their children then moved around in the ranching business in Wyoming until finally moving to Helmville in the Blackfoot River Valley in 1993 where he began a partnership with his father Eldon and brother Mitch in the house construction business. Voss Construction, LLC completed many projects in the upper Blackfoot River Valley over the next 19 years. Todd and Suzanne raised their two children, Alice and Zach in the Helmville community.
Todd was a talented, creative, and focused carpenter. He treated everyone with fairness, honesty, and respect. He had a deep spirituality and continually studied and read a wide range of topics. He had a wonderful way of synthesizing information that he read and had an encyclopedic memory which made for wonderful conversations. Todd enjoyed playing horseshoes and was a member of the American Horseshoe Pitcher’s Association.
Todd leaves his wife of 31 years, Suzanne, and his family which includes his daughter Alice and son Zach, his father Eldon of Dillon, mother Faye Huckaby of Rosalia, Washington, brother Monte of Ovando, sister Traci Bignell of Helena, brother Mitch of Dillon and seven nieces and nephews.
Todd’s wish was that there would be no funeral, but that the party he held on July 5 would be his memorial so that he could say goodbye to friends and have a last visit.
The family has planted a tree in memory of Todd in front of their home in Helmville.
To offer a condolence or share a memory of Todd, please visit the web address below: www.retzfuneralhome.com
Lisa Remior says
Thoughts and prayers to your whole family. I’m very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful person!
Deb Sybrant says
I will always hold dear the last hug I was able to give Todd on July 5th. I told him my father and brother would be waiting for him when he crossed over…and Todd said i will tell them hello from you-I believe with all my heart that he did!:)Todd was a special person I will miss him very much. Suzanne, Alice Faye and Zach you are in my prayers. God Bless Deb
Lorraine L. Barnes says
I only met Todd once, when his daughter, Alice, shared a house with me in California. Todd, Suzanne and Zach had come for a short visit to see Alice, and I was very excited because Alice spoke of her family often, with such genuine appreciation.
I was especially looking forward to meeting Todd, mainly because Alice kept a picture of her father on her desk that was so very striking. It was a black and white photo, where Todd was supporting his head in the cradle of his arms, as he rested his head on the table. The expression in his eyes was one of longing and wisdom. In the whole of my life, I do not believe I will ever forget that picture of Todd.
When I finally met him, it was a joy. He was a very respectful and quietly inquisitive man. I remember watching him, as he looked around the house and property, without ever physically moving. He was quite magical.
After Alice’s family left, I came home from work to find gifts on the table. Todd had actually carved a totem-type statue out of wood for me—the face of a smiling man.
He was a Gift to this world. I think of Todd often, with gratitude to him for22 having been such an authentic soul in this world.
Blessing Be, Love AllWays. Lorraine
Christine Hansen says
Much love to you all! You will be missed greatly uncle Todd, especially your laugh!
Amy Crider says
Suzanne – My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I am saying lots of prayers and sending you lots of hugs.
Chelsea McCausland says
May you continue your journey in the other world with good health and happiness Todd. And thank you for being such a great part of our family!
Jerry Hamann says
Suzanne, so sorry to hear the news, our prayers are with you and your family.
Ben & Vickie Harbour says
Dear Suzanne, Alice & Zac, We are so very sorry for your great loss. We are so glad that we got to see Todd at your house on July 5th. What was most apparent to me is that though his appearance had changed there was still that beautiful smile, and soft voice. That is what I will always remember most about Todd. What a wonderful man. We love you all so much and cherish all of the memories our families have had together. Love and prayers, Ben and Vickie
Kathy & Travis says
Todd allowed one to see a different perspective on life and living and it was always interesting to learn from him. Much love to the family…..and you know the rest of our sentiments.