Ted Danielson

The world lost Lloyd Theodore “Ted” Danielson on October 20, 2024. Ted succumbed to a hard-fought battle with COPD at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital. 

Ted was born on October 8,1942 in Shelby, Montana to Earl “Lloyd” and Mary Patricia “Patti” Danielson. After Earl Lloyd returned from serving in France during WWII, the family established a homestead in nearby Ferdig, Montana. It was there that the family was surrounded by the crops and cattle of the farm, the oil fields, exposed to planes his father piloted and the art and oil paintings of his artist mother Patti. The first born of five siblings, Ted was joined by two brothers; Donald “James” and Alan “George” and two sisters Mary “Babs” and Kathleen. Family was everything to Ted. He adored his baby sisters and enjoyed his brother George’s sense of humor. His “Irish twin” Donald James and Ted were especially close. Not only were they brothers but best friends. Teddy and Jimmy were thinkers, known for their shenanigans, some not all that well thought out. Donald James and Ted taught themselves how to drive a farm truck at the ages of 4 and 5 by having one stand on the seat to steer while the other pushed the pedals below. This brotherly collaboration established a love of machines and driving in Ted. In addition to this passion, Ted was driven by a life-long appetite for knowledge and a genuine openness to his fellow man and surroundings. 

An inspired learner, Ted’s education began at the Country School in Ferdig, Montana. It was at this school where he started to develop his extensive vocabulary and gift for elocution. He graduated from Sunburst High School in Toole County, Montana. He often raced his brother Donald James home from school in fast cars, ill-equipped for the country roads. He furthered his quest for knowledge by attending the University of Montana. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology. 

In between his high school and university education, Ted proudly volunteered and served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant, having utilized his mechanical skills as an aircraft electrician on B-52 bombers, stationed at and flying on missions as a bomber crewmember from air bases in Glasgow, Montana, Minot, North Dakota, Guam and Okinawa. 

It was during one of these deployments he met his future wife, “His Roberta”. Ted Danielson and Roberta Rae Clampitt were married in Glasgow, Montana in 1967. He proposed by saying “Marry me and we will see the world”. It turned out, Glasgow AFB to Minot AFB was the “world”. Through this union, they parented Brendan, Brian, and Kerry. A loving husband, father, and grandfather he wished most of all that those he cared about develop into the best people they could possibly be. It was important for him to teach his children and grandchildren everything they needed to know and give them the freedom to grow. He taught his wife, children, and grandchildren all how to drive. He was the best driving instructor out there. His grandson Nathaniel “Nate” was taught the importance of service to others, doing what you love the best that you can and the thrill of the roar of motors and the snap of pipes that would incite much laughter. His granddaughter Tora would read the newspapers weather report to Grandpa and look up places he had been to teach her the art of reading maps. He followed along when Tora wanted to make deer soup to feed the deer that would visit the yard. The recipe was water, apples, and leaves stirred up with love. The deer loved it and left an appreciative token of their own. He also supported his wife in her desire to continue her education and career. 

The family moved throughout the Western United States, with Ted’s occupational focus being transportation and energy. Employed by Halliburton in Gillette, Wyoming during the wild days of the 1980s oil boom, he worked his way up from driving the water truck to cementer, an accomplishment Ted was proud of. After the fields busted and the boom ended, he hauled coal for Savage Industries. Later he became an over the road long haul truck driver for East/West Trucking. He received many certificates for 100,000 miles accident-free. His crowning achievement and proudest moment in his career was establishing his own trucking company, Danielson Trucking, as an owner/operator. 

What he will remembered for most is his personality and wit. 

Charming and good-looking with a bright smile and eyes, gregarious, genuine and blessed with the gift of gab, Ted had many admirers and could easily and joyfully enlighten any conversation with nearly any audience of any social status. Ted would not be intimidated to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone, whether a CEO of a multinational company or someone down on his luck. His genuine and deeply optimistic nature would engage and enthrall them all in the same way. Never without his phone, he was especially happy to talk to his beloved mother, siblings, children and grandchildren, friends and members of the community. 

In addition to conversing, his other loves included the color red, like his wife’s hair color and his beloved classic 1968 Chrysler Newport 383 V-8 car and his trucks. In addition, he enjoyed many of the traditions of the West and classic Americana, whether that be cars, bars, guitars, guns, the open road, Gunsmoke, historical non-fiction, America’s game baseball, B.L.T.s with bacon so crispy it snaps, fajitas, milk (an emergency if out), tomato soup, Wildberry pie, Glacier National Park, dogs and especially cats. Most of all he loved being an American and glad to pass these traditions and joys onto his children and grandchildren. 

Ted led an extraordinary life of 82 years. Ted would say, “no one gets out of this” and “make memories because they last forever”. This was his way of expressing mortality. 

Ted is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years Roberta, his loyal sons Brendan and Brian (Viola) and Kerr-girl, his favorite daughter Kerry (Sammy James). 

He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Nathan (Eunice) and Tora Rae. His legacy included the addition of three new great granddaughters. Ted was embracing his brand new role as great-grandpa to Mia Valentina, Fernanda “Tanny” Xareni , and Mila Rose. He is also survived by his brother Donald James (Gail) of Walla Walla, Washington and a his sister Mary (Myron) Frydenlund of Shelby, Montana. He is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends-too many to name lest this becomes a novel- but we acknowledge you in our hearts. Special consideration given to his cousin of 80 years Mari of Billings, Montana, a friend of 77 years Adele of Montana, and friends of over 65 years Les and Jackie E. of Montana 

He is preceded in death by his parents Earl “Lloyd” and Patti, uncle James “Jimmy” Purcell, brother Alan “George” and sister Kathleen. 

  A memorial is tentatively planned in the Spring of 2025.