MICHAEL J CHASE

Michael J. Chase, 48, of Eureka, MT, died unexpectedly on January 9, 2018. He was a practicing physician in his hometown of Eureka.

Michael was born on April 29, 1969, in Great Falls to Laynn and Reggie Chase. He grew up in Lewistown, where he gained his love of the great outdoors. After graduating from Fergus High School in 1987, Michael attended Montana State University, Bozeman, studying mechanical engineering and was a member of the United States Army ROTC program. Following college, he served in the Army at Fort Carson, CO, and then went into the private sector of engineering in Colorado Springs. Michael had much bigger dreams, which included becoming a doctor, and once again joined the military through the Air Force ROTC and attended Kirksville School of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO, earning his medical degree and fulfilling his dream. There, he met his wife, Dianna, who is also a doctor, and together they have four beautiful children. He served the people for many years at Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis before moving with his family to Eureka to continue practicing medicine.

He loved spending time in the mountains "going to church" as he referred to it, because it was there he felt the most spiritual and felt the presence of God the most. He spent countless hours backpacking throughout the mountains of Northwest Montana and skiing with his children at Whitefish Mountain. He considered this one of his greatest pleasures in life. His love for music and the band Pearl Jam was well known.

Michael leaves behind his wife, Dianna, their children, Hannah, Joey, Brandon, and Madison Rose, all of Eureka, his parents Laynn and Reggie Chase of Billings, brothers Curt and his wife Jane of Victorville, CA, and Randy and his wife Lynda of Billings, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. He will truly be missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 14, at 3pm, at the Chapel Of  Praise in Eureka, MT with a funeral Mass to be celebrated on Tuesday, January 16, at 1pm, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Billings, MT. 

Mike often enjoyed doing random acts of kindness for others.  In lieu of flowers, Mike's family asks that all who knew him pay forward a kind deed, for someone else, in Mike's memory.  Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.