Marottek passes away March 21
Frank J. Marottek, age 84, of Poplar, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Billings Clinic, Billings.
The soft spoken Frank, and his wife, Myrt, were fixtures at Montana Tavern Association functions, board meetings and conventions for over 30 years, as directors from Roosevelt County.
Frank and Myrt were recipients of the MTA's most prestigious award in Sept. 2009, the Durkee Award, "... in recognition of outstanding service, unselfish contributions of time and effort, and dedication to the betterment of the MTA, its members and its goals."
In a Paul Vang article that appeared in the October, 2009 Montana Tavern Times recognizing the Marotteks' service to the business, they said they were surprised, even stunned by the award.
 |
| Frank Marottek |
The article stated, "When Mark Staples, MTA's government affairs counsel and awards banquet master of ceremonies, was going over the couple's accomplishments, Frank said, 'I was looking around, wondering who he [Staples] was talking about.'"
Of acquiring the Buck Horn, Frank said, “I was working the night shift one night when the owner asked, 'If I decided to sell the business, would you be interested in buying it?' I said, 'Hell yes.' We made the deal to buy the business, including an interest-free loan from the seller.”
Myrt also got into the act, buying a place of her own, though it certainly complicated life. Frank recalled with a chuckle, “She'd work at my place days, while I worked in the oil field, and then at night, I'd work in her place.”
Electing to concentrate on just one business, they rebuilt the bar in 1974. In 1984, they expanded the business to add a restaurant to the establishment, at which time their son, Charles, joined them in the business.
Their service to their business associations began shortly after they first bought the business. They became members of the Sheridan-Roosevelt-Daniels Tavern Association, and both Frank and Myrt have served as president of the S-R-D.
Shortly thereafter, they joined the Montana Tavern Association, attending their first convention in Miles City in 1972.
Frank was a long-serving MTA director, representing Roosevelt County, and acknowledged in the 2009 Times story that he braved many a blizzard to make it to winter meetings in Helena.
In the Times article, Frank admitted he had arthritis in his back, and had back surgery last August, so often used an electric scooter for getting around. “That's my saddle horse now,” he explained, with regrets that stepping up into a stirrup and swinging into a saddle now seemed too difficult.
“I also had malaria,” he added, as he mentioned his military service during WWII. “I walked all the way from Australia to Manila,” he said. When reminded that walking on water is somewhat of a specialized skill, he conceded, “The mosquitoes carried me across the water.”
Mark Staples, MTA government affairs counsel for three decades, told the Tavern Times, "Frank and Myrt Marottek are what MTA is all about: dedication to your family, your community, your customers and your fellow business owners.
"Frank was a quiet, soulful rock for MTA to lean on. I'm so glad MTA honored him and Myrt with the Durkee Award while he was here to know how much we appreciated him as a friend, a tavern owner, and a man.
"Thanks Frank, we'll never forget you."
Cole Boehler, editor and publisher of the Tavern Times, said, "I always looked forward to seeing Frank and Myrt at the MTA gatherings. He was the real deal – this prototypical eastern Montanan who knew mostly hard work at any number of jobs to support his family.
"We always kicked around the usual subjects: how was moisture over there around Poplar, how was the winter wheat looking, how did the pheasant hatch fare this spring ... that kind of thing, and, of course, how was the bar and restaurant business.
"He was the kind of guy who typifies the MTA member, though maybe he was more quiet than most. He was so down-to-earth, tough; always liked a little joke and some wit. I'm going to miss my friend Frank. And I'm thinking of Myrt, too. This has to be difficult for her."
Frank was born on Aug. 1, 1925, in rural Richland County, to Frank and Edna (Damson) Marottek. He attended country school in Richland County, and graduated from Poplar High School.
While a senior at Poplar, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he received his diploma. Frank served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific and was stationed in the Philippines from 1943 to 1946 as an Army Scout.
After his return, he married Mertice Wolski Nov. 19, 1948, in Poplar, at the First Presbyterian Church. From this union three sons were born: John, Charles and Harold.
While one of Frank's main occupations was ranching, he also worked in the oil field, drove school bus and measured land for the ASC. He raised Red Angus cattle and put up hay with the help of his sons.
Frank loved to fish, hunt and garden (he had a green thumb). He was a member of the American Legion in Poplar, the Moose Club (Williston, N.D.) and the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar, as well as MTA.
Frank is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mertice of Poplar; his three sons, John (Jodi) Marottek of Denver, Charles (Diane) Marottek of Poplar and Harold (Marilyn) Marottek of Poplar; seven grandchildren, Craig, Charles Jr., Tennile, Ashley, Josh, Doug, and Chelci; 12 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Della (Barlow) Colgan of Poplar, Betty Borden of Charlo and Mildred Cory of Wolf Point; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Edna Marottek; a brother, Pete Marottek and an infant brother.
A family service was conducted at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar. His funeral service was 11 a.m. Thursday, March 25, also at the First Presbyterian Church in Poplar, with Rev. Dr. James Isaac officiating.
Interment with military honors followed at Poplar City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 692, Poplar, MT 59255. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point handled the arrangements.