Monty Lou Slagter

Funeral Service for Monty Lou Slagter, 71, of Baker, will be held at 2:00 pm Friday 13, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Bonnievale Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour before the service.

Monty (Martens) Slagter, age 71, of Baker Montana passed away peacefully Saturday morning February, 7th 2026 at Fallon Medical Complex, surrounded by family.

Monty lived a life of authenticity and heart. She was fiercely devoted to her family, a joyful storyteller with a boisterous laugh, always up for a fun prank and someone whose generosity touched many lives. Monty had a spirited nature and a protective heart. She loved to joke, laugh loudly and stand fiercely for the people she cherished.

Monty was born in Ekalaka, MT June 16, 1954 to Jonathan and Olethia Martens. Early on they moved to Baker, MT to run the Baker Motel. The sudden death of her father Jonathan started a life of adversity. She, her mother and brother Randy moved in with Olethia's brother Harry Tiedemann, his wife Lucy and their 5 children Brian, Eric, Diana, Doyle and Josh, creating one big family. Here she honed her sharp wit and love of family. While attending High School in Baker she met the love of her life Benjamin Nat Slagter. On June 24, 1969 she made him her husband. Over the next 2 years they had 2 boys, Jonathan Nat and Quincy Wade Slagter, who she stayed home to care for.

Ben's work eventually took them away from Baker and they moved to Gillette, Wyoming. Here she furthered her education while raising her boys and caring for her mother. Becoming an entrepreneur, she opened and operated an answering service. In 1995 after her sons were grown, on the way home from a wedding in Idaho she saw a "Big Truck" with a sleeper on the back. She thought that would be a good way to see the United States. As soon as she got home she went straight to the DMV to get started on her CDL and her next adventure on the road with her husband. They purchased a Semi truck and headed out to see America as independent truckers. She was amazed that "about "2-½ days" was all it took to get anywhere in the US. They would do this for 10 years.

Eventually her heart longed for a home back in Baker. She and her son Jon hatched a plan to open a Lumber Yard. In April of 2003 she left the road to build another business, J&M Lumber. She enjoyed being back among old friends and family. She generously gave back to her community and looked forward to interactions with her customers. She became the face of the business and greeted everyone with a quick smile, a cup of coffee, a cookie and an ear.

The Lumber business helped her embark on her biggest adventure yet, being a grandmother. She cherished her time with her grandson and granddaughter and cared for them daily at the lumber yard until they went to school. She loved attending family activities and school events, taking hundreds of photos and making lasting memories.

This passion guided her to one of her greatest joys - genealogy. she found deep meaning in preserving her family story, carefully collecting photographs, creating scrapbooks, and honoring those who came before her while thoughtfully adding her own chapter to the Legacy. Through this work, she became both a keeper of memories and a bridge between generations, ensuring that the past would always have a voice in the future. Carrying these stories forward is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor her and continue the Legacy she treasured.

She is survived by her husband; Benjamin Nat Slater; sons, Jonathan Nat and Nikki Slagter, Quincy Slagter; grandchildren, Robert Nat and Shelby Slagter. Megan Slagter, Great Grandchildren Wilder Nat, Oaklen and Haisley Slagter; close cousins, Stan and Diana (Tiedemann) Lang, Brian, Eric, Doyle and Josh Tiedemann.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jonathan and Olethia; brothers, Randy and Gene; AI Johnson; bonus mom and dad, Harry and Lucy Tiedemann.

Her laughter echoes in the memories she leaves behind.