Lawrence William Cote

After 91 years, Larry Cote went peacefully to Heaven on January 7, 2026.

Lawrence William Cote was born December 30, 1934, to a big and loving family in Bottineau, North Dakota. He left school early to move to Phoenix, AZ but after ten long months of milking cows, he returned to graduate with his high school class at The Academy of Willow City, North Dakota. He moved to Williston, North Dakota and had a short stint boxing at the State Line Night Club. At 21, he met the love of his life Betty Lou Miller. He managed to snag her with the help of his 1950s Ford Victoria. They married and had five kids. They raised their family in Glasgow, Montana. Larry worked for Burlington-Northern Railroad—constantly on-call, unloading trains, moving up to conductor, and riding the rails. A lifetime Democrat and a strong proponent of labor rights, Larry worked as a union rep for the railroad. Larry also put his heart into owning and managing the LaCote Apartments. In the 1970s, Larry realized his dream of building a cabin at the Pines. The cabin was a place of countless family memories and endless hours of fishing.

After retirement, Larry and Betty spent many years traveling to Yuma, Arizona for the winter months, enjoying all their friends in their motorhome park. Larry spent much of his time involved with local communities. He was very involved with the building of the original little league playing fields. He was on the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital Board of Directors for 8 years. Larry was most proud of raising funds to ensure the clubhouse at Sunnyside had picture windows to enjoy excellent views after golfing. He grew the best cucumbers, tomatoes and horseradish that would burn your nose hairs. Larry spent the last year of his life in memory care at Valley View Home, creating friendships and wreaking havoc. He was described as feisty but also as love.

A battle with pneumonia sent Larry on to meet his son, Tom Cote; his parents, Edna and Paul; and five of his ten siblings (Vic Cote, Cecilia “Shorty” Dolezal, Swede Cote, Aimee Cote, Lorraine Gottbreth).

He will be loved and celebrated by his friends and remaining family: Betty Cote of Glasgow, MT; Rick Cote of Havre, MT (wife Stefani and children Lacey Erickson [husband Ryan, Alison, Rosalee] and Kristopher Cote [wife Bri, Lowen, Nora]), Shelly Cote of Venice Beach, CA (husband Kent Heeringa); Lori Miller of Billings, MT (husband, Kevin and children Tessa Savell [husband Brenon, Muriel and Luther], Chelsey Leonhardt [husband Scott, Addyson, Greyson], Hayley Botnen, and Paxton Miller); Kathy Cote of Fort Collins, CO (son Garrett Eakman); and Tom’s widow, Karen Cote-Tande of Scobey, MT (children Todd Tryan [wife Jamie, Theodore, Elizabeth, and Samantha], Casey Cote [wife Jamie, Makayla, Liv, Nox, and Cruz], and Macinzie Owen [husband Dustyn, Ramzie]).

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Raphael Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Raphael’s Church, Glasgow or the local organization of your choice in Larry’s name. Online condolences may be left at bellmortuarymt.com.