Franklin J. Rigler

On July 14, 2025, Franklin Rigler, 82, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, looking out on the mountains he loved.

The only son of Frank Rigler and Mary (Ryan) Rigler, he was proud to claim that he was one of the last babies born at Chico Hot Springs Hospital. He particularly loved sharing that with waiters when having dinner at Chico…often earning him a drink on the house.

Franklin was a graduate of Gardiner High School and a lifelong Gardiner Bruin fan. A proud Bobcat fan, he attended MSU, where he studied range science.

In June of 1974, he married Susan (Kleba) Rigler. They carried on the family heritage of ranching, but hunting was his passion. He outfitted for 40 years, taking hunters out from all over the world. The highlight of his outfitting career was the 30 years he spent late elk hunting as he shared those hunts with so many Montana hunters. Hunters still stop by to share that they shot their first elk with him during the late season. The hunting stories are endless…

After selling much of the ranch at Slip & Slide, the family bought a ranch on Rotten Grass Creek outside of Lodge Grass. Franklin loved that place and spent many hours fencing, haying, bird hunting, and establishing new friendships.

Franklin’s last hunting trip was in December of 2024. Weak from chemotherapy treatments, he harvested a cow elk with the help of cousins Josh and Gordon Rigler. It was a classic Frank shot…lying prone with a rock as a rest, 600 yards, one shot. He was the kind of hunter he appreciated guiding…one and done.

Franklin celebrated his family’s heritage and the life he was lucky enough to live. He was a proud Montanan until the day he died. He was the consummate steward of the land he owned; he loved to irrigate and he took care of the weeds. He loved the mountains, pack trips, fishing and hunting; he celebrated the fact that these also became the loves of his children and grandchildren.

Frank was predeceased by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Susan; his daughter, Tara, Alexandria VA; son, Ryan, (Heather) Lodge Grass MT; son, Chuck, family ranch and Alexandria VA; his sister, Mary Anikudo, and his Rigler family. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Celia, Porter, Jill, and John; it would be hard to find a prouder grandfather.

Services will be at Franzen-Davis in Livingston MT on Saturday August 9, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. Following the service, there will be a lunch at the Elk’s Lodge in Livingston MT. Interment will be for family at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Gardiner Ambulance Service or the Gardiner Scholarship Fund, both located in Gardiner MT 59030.

A very special thank you to the Hospice team at Livingston Health Care and Dr. Pinango for providing such compassionate care for Franklin in his final days.

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