Jon Roberts Severson, passed away on October 10, 2026, at St John’s Transitional Rehab Center in Billings, after a brief illness. He was 93.

Jon was born on September 25, 1933, in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Leonard & Dorothea Severson. He joined a sister Joann. The family moved to Missoula where Jon attended elementary school and Sentinel High School. He went on to attend the University of Montana, (tuition at the time was $35 per quarter). To pay his tuition, Jon would travel to Denton by train to work for the Ecker family, driving a grain truck during harvest.

He also served as a smokejumper with the U.S. Forest Service helping fight wildfires in the mountains around Missoula. Jon graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He was a proud brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity (Gamma Phi Chapter), a time in his life that brought him immense joy and lasting brotherhood.

Jon met Betty while at U of M, and, after their graduation, were married on June 18, 1956. The couple moved to Billings, where he began his pharmacy career at Woodrow's Pharmacy. In August 1957, they moved to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where Jon was stationed for military training with the Army Reserves. Their first son, Mark, was born a week after they arrived in San Antonio. The family returned to Billings in 1958, and Jon was hired as a pharmacist at St. Vincents Hospital, beginning a career that would span 45 years. In 1959 they were blessed with a daughter, Shelly, and in 1964, another son, Bill.

Outside of his career as a pharmacist, Jon was a gifted woodworker. Betty gave him a table saw and asked him to build furniture for their home. He built many pieces including a desk, dining room table, bookcase, matching bedroom set, chair, and ottoman, which earned him a blue ribbon in the Yellowstone County fair.

Throughout his life, Jon enjoyed many outdoor activities with his family. Summer vacations were spent visiting his parents in Missoula and later in Lakeside, Montana. He enjoyed camping at Holland Lake and weekend trips to Red Lodge. He liked to fish for cut-throat and golden trout in the lakes around Red Lodge and to hike to lakes in the Beartooth Mountains. He floated many Montana rivers with his sons, fishing for trout, and hunting pheasants with his golden retriever, Brandy. He also hunted big game, tagging antelope, deer, and late-season elk. For several years, he bought a family season pass to ski Red Lodge Mountain. He made sure they went skiing every weekend from opening day until the season ended.

When Jon and Betty became "empty nesters" they spent winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. Jon also enjoyed reading, baking cookies, and doing crossword puzzles in pen.

His grandson Taylor was the first to call him Papa. He was Papa to all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved spending time with them. He rarely missed a concert, award ceremony, football or volleyball game or wrestling tournament. He took immense pride in their lives and accomplishments.

Jon was a member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church, where he was known as “one of the good ones.” He was also known for his intelligence, kindness, quiet nature, and ability to listen. He dedicated his career to helping others. He was respected by those who knew and worked with him. His life was marked by devotion to his profession, to the outdoors, and to his family, whose memories of shared trips, time together, and steady care will remain lasting parts of his legacy.

Jon was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Betty, and his grandson, Christopher Jon Molen.

He is survived by his son, Mark (Karla) Severson, daughter Shelly (Don) Molen, and son Bill (Laurel) Severson. His grandchildren are Nicole (Aden) McDonnell, Taylor Severson, Abbey Severson, Andrea (Seth) Hosking and Sam (Sydney) Molen and Will Severson. Great grandchildren are Sophie and Ashlynn McDonnell, Tinley Severson, Noah Severson, and Miles and Griffin Hosking.

The family would like to thank the staff at St Johns for the excellent care he received. Especially Tyler, Carl, Charity, Bri, Jen, and Linette and all those who helped to keep him

comfortable.

He will be remembered with love and deep appreciation by his family and by all who knew him.