Meet the Seniors Waiting for a Friend!
Right now, Seniors in our community are hoping for someone to share a warm cup of coffee, swap stories, and laugh with. They’re veterans, gardeners, retired teachers, musicians, nature lovers, and lifelong Montanans. What they all have in common is the desire for connection, and the wait can feel lonely.
This winter, as the snow falls and the days grow shorter, you can brighten someone’s world with your time and kindness.
Connection is the best kind of warmth.
Scroll to the bottom for Seniors Outside of Bozeman and Belgrade
Mark G, Male, 63 years old
Mark retired 8 years ago and moved to Montana. He has two daughters and two sons. He enjoys fishing, hunting, and being outdoors. Mark had a stroke 3 years ago and he now lives at an assisted living facility in Bozeman, near the hospital. He is unable to do the things he loves outdoors and a Befriender who wants to go outside, maybe go fishing, and keep him social! He is significantly younger than the other residents so having someone younger to talk to would benefit Mark as well. Mark can be very pessimistic at times due to his stroke, but it is easy to banter back with him. Someone encouraging and positive would make a great Befriender. Special considerations: Mark had a stroke three years ago. Before his stroke, Mark struggled with alcoholism, so it’s important that if someone takes him out, they avoid places that serve alcohol.
Bonnie M, 82 years old
Lives in Belgrade along the Frontage Rd. Bonnie is in the house most of the time. She lives with her son and needs more support with her bedroom chores. Bonnie has had Befrienders in the past couple of years; they have moved away but keep in touch with her weekly. Her last Befriender would spend 3-5 hours a week taking Bonnie to Walmart, the mall, out to eat, and other things Bonnie liked to do. Bonnie is lovely, she appreciates her befrienders and that they take the time to volunteer out of the goodness of their hearts. She feels lucky to have found such great friends and is excited for her next friend! She is hoping for someone to help her put her laundry away. She folds them but can’t put them in the closet, and she also hopes they would want to sit and talk with her, too. Special Considerations: bad left leg, and arthritis. She uses a wheelchair to get around. Would possibly want an older volunteer, but not too picky.
Sonja B, 84 years old
Sonja lives alone in Belgrade, her neighbors, who were a big support system for her, moved to Ennis. She calls herself a horseaholic and has a huge passion for them, along with being a 4-H leader for 50 years. Sonja said she is lonely because she is no longer able to drive. She would like to run errands with her befriender and keep socializing with people. She enjoys community activities, telling life stories, and leaving the house. Sonja said her house is hard to get into so she prefers to meet outside for outings. Sonja is very social and enjoys human connection. She has a Befriender who is leaving in October. Sonja doesn’t have family, and her current Befriender has made a huge difference in her life. She feels grateful for her and has said it has changed her attitude on life completely, knowing she has a friend to count on. Special Consideration: She was recently diagnosed with dementia; she is still independent but no longer drives due to high blood pressure.
Ralph S, Male, 85 years old
Ralph recently moved to Brookdale Spring Meadows. He was a research hydrologist for 35 years in the US Forest Service. Ralph was an avid skier and served on the Board of Directors for Bridger Bowl. Both of his adult children live in Bozeman and spend time with him. Ralph likes to stay active and would benefit from someone who would like to go for walks with him and his dog, Max (1-2 miles). He also attends Rock Steady boxing at the YMCA, where one of his sons leaves in the Fall for the south. They are hoping a Befriender Volunteer could attend the class with him and be his corner person. His class is at 1:20 on Monday and Wednesday. He also walks his dog at 10 am and 3 pm, if a volunteer can make any of these times work. This would involve simply assisting him to understand the exercises he needs to perform and spotting him while he does them. Special consideration: Ralph has Parkinson’s disease and diminished eyesight. He is very mobile but needs someone to accompany him if he goes on extended walks
Michael S, Male, 74 years old
Michael lives alone in Belgrade and would like more social connections. He is very kind and said he gets along with most people, especially motorheads. Michael graduated with a civil engineering degree from Washington State and started working as a carpenter. He has lived all around the U.S. throughout his life and came to Bozeman in the 80s. He started a construction company and enjoyed using his hands for work. Michael was a civil rights activist in the 60s. He would go down south with groups of people and help bring equality to the areas. His group would go into grocery stores that did not allow African Americans, and he would buy them groceries. He is very proud of his work in equal rights and still advocates for that today when he can. Michael was enthusiastic to make a new friend and have someone to talk to. Special consideration: Michael is very kind; he may do better with a male volunteer. His apartment was a bit unkempt and stuffy. Michael uses a wheelchair to get around and does not drive.
Andrew S, Male, 67 years old
Andrew lives near the Gallatin Fairgrounds. He is kind and insightful. Andrew has lived an isolated life due to being deaf in one ear; he had not realized until his 40s that he was living with a disability. Andrew worked in Asphalt for his career. He loved his job and still checks out the road to see how good a job they did. Andrew is from Illinois, and for 50 years, it has been his dream to move to MT. He loves camping, going for drives, and one-on-one conversations. He is able to hear one person in a quiet environment. 2 is company, 3 is a crowd, he said. Special consideration: Andrew is deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the one, but can understand what someone is saying if they have a low voice.
Jim J, Male, 80 years old
Jim lives near the Bozeman Airport. He is originally from Montana and moved to Bozeman for School. He graduated from MSU with a master's in Animal Science and worked in the Montana Extension Service for 34 years. He was a private pilot and would fly all around MT to avoid the long drives. He has two sons, and one lives in Columbus, MT. Jim is part of the Optimist club, Antique car club, and a member of Hope Lutheran Church. Jim does not enjoy talking about sports because that is all his grandson talks about, haha. Jim's sister lives on the other side of town, and they are very close. He no longer drives and needs someone to help him get out into the community and maintain his hobbies.
Pat V, 86 years old
Pat lives in Belgrade with her husband; she is originally from Shelby, MT. She has 3 daughters and worked in hospitals and then in food services at a school. Pat used to love to garden, cook, and quilt. She is housebound now and needs more support; her husband has early dementia, and he leaves every day and returns after she is asleep. Most days, she does not see anyone. She would enjoy someone visiting her each week because she spends a lot of time alone. Special Considerations: Housebound and unsteady walking.
Mike C, Male, 78 years old
Mike is very sweet. He has some disabilities that limit his ability to get out, make new friends, and spend much of his time alone. He lives with his wife and their son near MSU, and he enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with his dogs, which are very important to him. He also enjoys sports and loves going camping in his camper. Mike is considered deaf and uses hearing aids, but can’t always comprehend what people are saying, so he uses creative listening to understand people. Mike is friendly and enjoys talking about life. He used to do a lot of woodwork and went to school for Philosophy. He would enjoy making a friend he can go to community events with, spend time talking with, and make new connections. Special consideration: Has aches and pains which limit his ability to be active for long periods, and is deaf, so it is hard to hear people when talking, but he uses creative listening to understand what is being said. When our staff met him, he picked up on everything we were saying.
Lydia S, 82 years old
Lydia lives in Belgrade and was a befriender volunteer in the past; her husband also was a Befriender volunteer. She lives alone and tries to stay active in her community. She was a hairdresser for many years. Lydia still drives but she doesn’t drive into Bozeman anymore due to all of the traffic. Lydia is hoping her Befriender will accompany her to Bozeman and also have someone in the area so she knows she’s not alone. Her daughter lives in Oregon and needs more social support. She is looking forward to getting a Befriender and someone that she can rely on as she starts to get older. Special consideration: Heart attack last year.
Keith P, Male, 82 years old
Keith lives near Four Corners and has 2 kids. He was in the Army and is a retired airline employee as well. Keith is originally from Wyoming and decided to move to Montana for work. Keith is also a volunteer at the History Museum and the Ellen Theatre. He loves traveling and uses stained glass panels. He would like a friend he can rely on when his vision goes away, he likes to be active in the community, and he is very easy to get along with. Special Considerations: Keith has macular degeneration and may lose his license soon. He is interested in a befriender who can bring him around so he can remain involved in the community. Although he is fairly mobile, sometimes he does get dizzy.
Diane E, 86 years old
Diane lives near Four Corners with her husband Phillip and their beloved dog, Spud. Diane describes her life as simple; she tends to her garden, which is 8th of an acre, and supplies almost all of the food they eat. She also makes her own clothes and household items with her sewing machine. Diane enjoys oil painting, writing poetry, and reading! She raised 3 girls in Bozeman and has spent a large portion of her adult life here as well, but her daughters have since moved out of state. Diane trained horses and still holds some of her daughter’s horses. She was heavily involved in theater and loves classical music. Diane’s Husband would like a break to exercise at the Senior Center. He would like to have a volunteer who can meet at the Bozeman Senior Center on Monday or Friday, anywhere between 1-4 pm, for an hour. Diane’s current Befriender has been meeting with Diane for 2 years every Friday at 1 pm, but is graduating this December and moving. Diane’s current Befriender loves meeting with Diane; it brings her so much joy, and she looks forward to it every Friday. Special consideration: She has early to mid stages of dementia. Diane doesn’t remember much from her childhood anymore, but she enjoys people watching.
Suzy S, 79 years old
Suzy was originally from Illinois but moved to MT 40 years ago. She was recently moved into memory care and has a Befriender but she is only able to meet every 2 weeks. Her husband says Suzy benefits greatly from having a Befriender, and an outgoing volunteer is also beneficial for her. Suzy was a social worker and had her own practice. She loves human connection and being around people. Suzy is obsessed with her dog and is a huge dog lover! A Befriender who will want to get her out of the facility to go for walks, lunch, and to get outside more would do great with Suzy. Special Consideration: Suzy has early/mid Alzheimer’s; she will need someone who can encourage her to do things because she changes her mind often.
Janet W, 91 years old
Janet lives off of Oak with her dog in a senior living community. She moved here from New Jersey 20 years ago with her husband. She loves going to the symphony and shopping. Janet is excited about a Befriender and doesn’t know what to expect, but wants to meet a new friend. She used to play the harp and organ. She loves to stay busy and enjoys chatting with other residents at Bozeman Lodge. Janet has some short-term memory, so she may need to be reminded and encouraged as to why a Befriender is there; she felt that someone younger wouldn’t want to hang out with her, but after a few visits, she will get in the groove. When she heard about Befrienders, another resident helped her fill out an application, and she is excited that she can make a friend who wants to be in the community with her. Special consideration: Janet has low vision and some short-term memory loss.
Mary E, 88 years old
Mary lives alone on Main and 19th. She filled out her own application. She is widowed and spends a lot of time alone. She said she is quite lonely and wishes to have a friend and good company. Mary used to work at MSU in the education dept. She worked at Thrive as a Cap coordinator and was a high school English teacher. Mary grew up on a ranch and used to love riding horses. She likes pets, board games or silly games, garden, good conversation, and politics. Mary is excited to make a new friend and expand her connections in the community! Special consideration: Uses a cane to walk.
Marta D, 93 years old
Marta lives near Hyalite Canyon. She recently moved here from Germany to live with her daughter. Marta is very sweet and is so excited to have a weekly friend to visit with. She enjoys playing Chess and reading. Going for drives and sharing a meal. She used to teach German and English. Marta doesn’t know anyone in town and expressed to her daughter how lonely she feels. She is so looking forward to making a new friend! Special consideration: Uses a walker, hard of hearing.
Steve K, Male, 64 years old
Steve lives right next to the Bozeman Senior Center. Steve is mostly a homebody but often enjoys watching TV, listening to music (classical rock, classical, country western), puzzles, going out to eat, and fishing. Steve doesn't have any family locally or friends. He would like to be able to engage more in the community, be more socially involved, and have a companion to spend time with. He used to work for the park and forest service. He loves fish and wildlife. Special Considerations: Steve is hard of hearing on the phone, and he is legally blind, so he can't drive. Steve often communicates best via email.
Seniors Outside of Bozeman & Belgrade
Mildred (Mitzi) B, Livingston, 92 years old
Mitzi moved here from Maryland a few months ago. She moved to Montana to live with her granddaughter. Mitzi was the primary caregiver for her husband for 50 years, who was a paraplegic. Mitzi loves to bake, play games, do puzzles, and talk about life and happy times. Mitzi is a wonderful human who loves to talk and share stories. Her granddaughter works through the week, and Mitzi would benefit from having a friend to spend time with during the daytime. Special Considerations: Uses a cane, mild cognitive impairment.
Jeffrey K, Male, Norris Rd, 70 years old
Jeffrey lives on the Madison River with his wife, and his main hobby in life is working. His wife ran the little farm they live on while Jeffrey worked full-time. Jeffrey’s wife needs a friend for him so she can leave a few hours a week because she is overwhelmed with being with him 24/7. Jeffrey is social, but his understanding has been declining. A friend to spend time with Jeffrey, going for walks or playing games. Special Considerations: Foot surgery and cognitive impairment.
Carol G, 84 years old, Whitehall
Carol lives in Whitehall and needs a Befriender. If there is someone who lives near or knows of someone in Whitehall who would like to be a befriender, spread the word! Carol is very sweet, she has a great sense of humor, and she grew up in New Jersey. She enjoys knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, lunch, going shopping, cards, and genuine company. She is always up for an adventure, whether it’s grabbing lunch or a drive around town. Special Considerations: Carol uses a walker and is very independent when navigating her mobility. She has some short-term memory with certain events, but can recall the bigger picture.
Diane M, Livingston, 67 years old
Diane lives in Livingston. She is a silent movie enthusiast and also loves music. She has one son and recently had a stroke, which has limited her mobility. She is hoping to make a new friend to have someone to talk to, she feels lonely and misses connection. Special Considerations: Limited mobility, uses a walker due to a stroke.
Arleen M, Livingston, 61 years old
Arleen lives in Livingston and is in need of support; she lacks resources and has been disabled for 30 years. Someone who could support Arleen and assist with her tasks, such as organizing, small tasks, snow shoveling, grocery shopping, and seasonal tasks. She also may need help with technology because it does overwhelm her. Special Considerations: Chronic pain, she has anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Also immune-compromised.
Debra S, Three Forks, 71years old
Debra lives in Three Forks and spends a lot of time alone. She needs more friends and would like someone to talk to. Her spirits have been low, and she knows that social interaction could help with that. Debra enjoys watching TV, playing games, and loves dogs! She is now mostly homebound and no longer drives. She has a Befriender, and they have been matched for 2 years, but now that Debra’s health has changed, she needs a friend to visit her at her house. She’s excited to meet her Befriender and is looking forward to more social interaction with a new friend! Special Considerations: Homebound and oxygen.
Edmund Z, Male, Manhattan, 88 years old
Edmund lives in Manhattan with his daughter. He has 2 children who live locally and 1 in AK. When Edmund was told about Befrienders, he thought it was a great idea and felt it would help with the alone time when his daughter is at work. Edmund owned an autobody shop in Manhattan and was also in the Air Force. His hobbies are reading, watching birds and animals, walking, Talking, Hunting, and Metal Detecting (treasure hunting)! He also mentioned dancing when his wife was alive. He and his wife used to spend their winters in South Padre in a 5th wheel! Edmund is looking forward to meeting a new friend! Special Considerations: Tires easily walking far and sometimes can’t hear in group settings
Arlene G, Big Sky, 80 years old
Arlene just moved from Nevada to be next to her daughter in Big Sky! She would enjoy having a friend come over and visit, and occasionally go into town to shop, but not that often, since she has a tendency to overshop, haha. She doesn’t want to join any groups, but a one-on-one friendship piqued her interest. Special Considerations: At fall risk, needs to be reminded to use her cane, and has some memory loss, but lives independently.
Last edited: 1-15-2026
