Celebration of life for Andrew Carlton Hupe (91)

Born in Spokane, Washington on May 2, 1935, to Ruth and Andrew Hupe, his younger sister Dawn Altree lives in Eugene, Oregon.

Andy's father worked for the government, so their family moved often from project to project. They lived in: Redding, CA, Reno, NV, Herlong, CA, Hungry Horse MT (as he worked on The Hungry Horse Dam).

Andy attended elementary school in Hungry Horse, and High School at Columbia Falls where he was center on the basketball team.

His first job for the Forest Services was in 1953 at Mountain Camp in Glacier Park, MT as a summer employment.

His father was already in Anchorage helping build the airplane runways at Elmdorf Airforce Base. In 1954, he drove his mom, Ruth and sister, Dawn, to Alaska via the Alaska Highway which was all gravel at the time.

Andy enlisted in the Army and served 4 years at Fort Rich in Anchorage, with the Army Corp of Engineers as a surveyor.

During that time Andy met his wife, Vassa Lekanoff in Unalaska, AK. Andy adopted his two stepchildren Joyce and Lenard. Vassa and Andy had 3 more children, Arleen, Martin, and Valerie.

He became employed permanently with the Forest Service and they moved to Big Fork, MT and lived on the Swan River. His young family enjoyed playing and swimming in the river.

He was transferred to Ennis where along with Surveying he was also a firefighter. Andy always stood tall.

The family moved to Dillon, MT as he continued his career.

In 1973, Andy and Vassa went their separate ways.

Andy's Children soon moved to Alaska and Andy remained on his job in Dillon.

He met Maysel (Mallon) Koenig who taught Hunters Safety Courses. In 1980, Andy and Maysel were married for 22 years.

Later, Maysel and Andy moved to Juneau, Alaska where he worked for the Bureau of Indian Affair. He continued survey work in many remote corners of Alaska transported by Busch Planes.

When he retired, he drove Charter Buses for Holland America Tours to the Mendenall Glacier near Juneau. After retirement they moved to Sheridan, MT. Maysel passed away in 2002.

Andy was presented an award for 35 years of U.S. Government work, including 24 years with the Forest Service, and 6 years with the Bureau of Indian.

Andy, Loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time taking his kids to the mountains and rivers. He wanted us to experience this wonderful world.

He climbed Diamond Mountain in Unalaska, Alaska, he also claimed Baldy Mountain, the Sphinx, and Black Butte many times. With his friend, Rick Hockley, they climbed the peak called Triple Divide in Glacier Park. When hiking alone he always had his black lab at his side.

Later in life, Andy got his Pilot's License! Airplanes were one of his passions. He loved being a pilot and was very proud of it.

A few years later, Andy Married Kitty Brown, they lived in Sheridan, Kitty Passed away in 2013.

Andy was well liked by his co-workers and all who knew him. He was a good listener who conversed in a soft voice. However, his grandchildren Kurtis, Kyle, Gina Koenig played in all sports during High School- Andy's voiced boomed- "Way to Go": Kurtis, Kyle or Gina. The kids said even among the noisy crowd- they always heard Grandpa cheer for them.

Andy wanted to have nature all around him, so over the years he planted a large variety of trees around his yard.

Andy often slept out among the stars when hunting or hiking with his lab.

Andy was able to converse about anything (even politics) without stirring things up.

Andy enjoyed going target shooting with Kerry, Kurtis, Kyle, Dixon and his children, Martin, Valerie, Lenard, Arleen and Joyce any time they could get together. Maysel and Andy had excellent marksmanship. He enjoyed the history of guns.

Andy didn't have a T.V. he enjoyed listening to PBS radio where he got the news and a large variety of classical music.

As he became more homebound, he finally accepted T.V. and enjoyed a variety of different shows. He missed his friends at the Senior Citizen Center.

He was an amazing man, who lived a very simple life. One of his favorite songs was Ghost Riders by on the Sky.

His daughter, Arleen, moved in with him to care for him for the last 8 years before his passing.

Andy lived a simple life only wanting the basics.

He was of the Bahá'í Faith.

Andy was given an award for his volunteer work at the nursing home. He made bird feeders for the residents and hung them by their room window. Andy kept the feeders full, so the birds came for patients to enjoy. He also made an igloo in front of the nursing home for all to see.

Andy when in his early 80's still rode his bicycle downtown to get the mail and a few groceries.

He was on his way to Butte via Harding Way and saw a vehicle accident occur. He and another motorist jumped into action. The woman was upside down in a pond being held by the seat belt. They saved her life.

Andy will be deeply missed. He was a gentle soul. You are forever in our hearts until we meet again. A great light has gone out, but he illuminated all of us and our world. We are all better people for having known him.

Andy's service will take place at K and L Mortuaries in Sheridan, MT on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 4:00pm. His burial will take place in the Sheridan Cemetery.