Glen Newman

Glen Newman, 88, of Missoula, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Garden City Funeral Home, with a reception to follow. Online condolences may be left at gardencityfh.com.

Glen Delano Newman was born May 13, 1937, in Cut Bank, Montana, to John and Verr M. Newman. He grew up working on the family farm alongside his four brothers, an upbringing that shaped his lifelong work ethic.

As a young man, Glen served honorably in the United States Navy as a deckhand, a role that instilled in him discipline, attention to detail, and pride in doing things right. He later spent many years opening and managing Safeway stores throughout Montana. While managing Safeway in Anaconda, he met his true love, Mary Lynn Chambers. Mary Lynn often joked that if you were to open his head and look inside, you’d see a big, red ’S’ for Safeway.” Glen was crazy about Mary Lynn right away, after spotting her in the produce department, and put that same work ethic & dedication into winning her over.

Glen and Mary Lynn were married on June 21, 1972, in Idaho and shared 53 years marked by devotion, teamwork, and a deep love for family. They worked together for many years, building successful businesses and a life rooted in love and shared faith.

Glen was known for his meticulous standards and belief in doing a job right the first time. His children and grandchildren learned early how to vacuum properly, wind a cord, and comb the tassels on the area rugs. Though particular, Glen was always kind and fair, and his high standards became one of his most endearing traits and the source of many fond stories and laughter.

When he wasn’t working, Glen was fishing. Summer mornings at Canyon Ferry Lake hold a special place in his grandchildren's memories. They would rise before dawn, pour Folger’s coffee into a well-worn Stanley thermos, and head out onto the water in Glen’s prized cherry-red Custom Weld fishing boat, outfitted with every fishing gadget imaginable. As the propane heater hummed in the cabin, the sky shifted from pink to gold to blue. And when the fishing was good, Glen was always quick to remind you that “fish don’t jump, they rise.”

Glen’s life was grounded in a strong faith that sustained him through every season. His faith gave him steady assurance and shaped the way he worked and cared for others. He held an unwavering belief that God would carry him through and that no problem was too big for God, a belief he instilled in his children and grandchildren.

Glen will be deeply missed, and his family finds comfort in knowing he is now at peace.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Mary Lynn Newman; children, Doug (Didi) Newman, Tom Newman, John (Angela) Newman, Janet (Wes) Coy, Charlene Fischer, Tina (Darin) Belcher, Cathleen (Daniel) Small, and Joanna (Josh) Rohde; 24 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mamie; children, Lynne Marvin and Glynda Adams; and brothers, Bob, Jimmy, Bert, and Tom Newman.