Edgar Leroy Mitch

 Edgar Leroy Mitch passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on January 24, 2026 in Grass Valley, California. He had been in hospice care for about a week following a fall.

He was born April 27, 1931 in Glasgow, Montana to Lois and Tony Mitch. The Mitch family moved to Cut Bank, MT in 1941 where Tony began managing Rieder and Company - a farm equipment dealer (International Harvester Co.), repair shop, and hardware store. Ed and his brothers Bob and Bill all started working at Rieder & Co. at a young age. Tony bought half interest in the business in 1947 from Martha Rieder.

Ed enjoyed his school years in Cut Bank, especially high school. He made many lifetime friends there. Senior Sneak Day 1950 kept everyone talking for years.

During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Navy and was an Aviation Metalsmith specializing in hydraulics. He broke both ear drums while test flying an aircraft, which plagued him later in life. While in the Navy, he was stationed on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and at Moffett Field near San Jose, California. In 1953, he married Shirley Koster in Modesto, California. After discharge in 1954, they moved back to Cut Bank and Ed returned to work at Rieder & Co. A son, Douglas Edgar, was born in 1955.

In 1958 Ed & Shirley moved to Riverton, WY and Ed began working for IHC dealer Atwood Implement as a Partsman. Debra Ann was born in 1958 and Donald Wayne was born in 1960. Ed made many friends and enjoyed hunting and fishing while living in Riverton.

Tony asked Ed to return to Cut Bank in 1963 to assist him at Rieder & Co. and although he hated leaving their new Riverton home, he did. Following a long illness, his mother Lois died of cancer. Ed & Shirley bought out Martha Rieder’s share of the business, and in 1963 Rieder & Co., Inc. was formed. The business was very successful through the 1960s & 70s. Ed bought out Tony’s remaining interest in Rieder & Co., Inc in 1975.

Rieder & Co. built a new building and sales yard north of town in 1979. The old store on North Central Ave was closed down and the metal Butler building behind it was moved out to the new yard location. Don Mitch became a part owner of Rieder & Co., Inc. in 1983, marking the 3rd generation of Mitch family ownership in the business.

Community Service: 7 years Cut Bank School Board, 2 terms CB Chamber of Commerce director, CB Fire Dept Chief, CB Hospital Board, Jaycees, Elks Club, President of the Montana Volunteer Firemen’s Association, President of the Montana Hardware & Implement Dealers Association, and involvement in many other organizations.

Ed & Shirley decided to retire in 1986. They sold the new store & yard location to Alme Construction, and had an auction for disposal of the rolling stock and misc. Ed kept busy working as a Manufacturer’s Representative for several ag related companies. They enjoyed traveling in their RV, and time at their cabin north of Polson, MT. Shirley Mitch was diagnosed with cancer in 1988 at 57 years old. She died June 8, 1990.

Ed was a friend and business associate of Bob Scriver, bronze artist of Browning, MT. He sold dozens of Bob’s bronzes and was instrumental in siting and funding the large Scriver Lewis & Clark statue at Portage Park in Great Falls, MT. In 2007 Ed donated a collection of over 50 Scriver bronzes to the CM Russell Museum.

Ed moved to Dayton, MT and sold all of his Cut Bank properties. He married Gwenevere Miller in 1998 and they divorced in 2007. In about 2000, Ed bought a newer home north of Dayton, MT overlooking Wildhorse Island and Flathead Lake. He really enjoyed this place and entertained many friends there.

On his 80th birthday, a surprise party was hosted for him at the Rollins Fire Hall (where Ed was still an active member of the fire dept). It was attended by over 100 people including high school friends, business associates, firemen, family, and lots of well-wishers. A fabulous BBQ was served.

In September 2014, while crossing Hwy 93 on his 4-wheeler, Ed was hit by a pickup going over 80 mph. The highway was closed for several hours while emergency service crews tended to him and a life flight helicopter was summoned. He was severely injured and spent several days in intensive care. It was a miracle he survived.

In 2021, Ed sold his north Dayton property and moved into the Buffalo Hill Terrace assisted living facility in Kalispell. He moved to a similar facility in Grass Valley, California in 2023 to be near his daughter, Deb. Ed loved fishing, hunting, berry picking, watching sports and a good game of cribbage. He used his leadership skills all his life. In his final years in assisted living, he was known for his kindness to fellow residents and the staff … encouraging them and always offering his hand to shake as he passed in the hall.

Ed Mitch was proceeded in death by his mother, father, wife and brothers. He leaves behind sons Doug (Roni) and Don (Jeri), daughter Deb Wivholm (Dallas), 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made to the Shriners Children Hospital or your local hospice organization. A Memorial Service in Cut Bank is planned for July 23, 2026.