Darwin Earl France, 92, of Sidney, MT passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Sidney Health Center in Sidney, MT surrounded by his family.

Darwin was born on January 24, 1933, to Charles and Mayme (Kilen) France in Culbertson, MT. The family moved to Sidney where he attended Sidney schools. Darwin married his high school sweetheart, Shirley J. Christensen on December 26, 1951.

Darwin and Shirley settled south of Sidney to provide ample room for the growing family and Darwin’s passion – raising show quality Quarter Horses. He took pride in the many horses he raised that went on to become world champions (after they left Sidney, of course!). He enjoyed maintaining the home place and yard. He also liked classic cars and enjoyed parade opportunities in his 1948 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe Sedan and 1977 Cadillac Coupe De Ville. Over the years, he was employed at Sidney Paint & Glass, MDU as the bookkeeper responsible for recording the building of the MDU Power Plant and later as the appliance salesman. He transitioned to the oil business in the 70’s, first as a dispatcher with Western Crude, then as a crude oil negotiator and lobbyist in Washington, DC for Getty Oil Company, and finally as a crude oil buyer for Texaco Trading & Transportation Incorporated. Darwin and Shirley were also owner/operator entrepreneurs of the Sidney El Rey Motel in the late 50’s and the Sidney Agate & Gift store in the late 70’s.

After Shirley’s passing, Darwin met Andrea through their shared interest in horses. They spent the past years enjoying eating out, frequent short trips to rodeos, horse sales, the great grandson’s baseball games and visiting family.

Darwin is survived by his life partner, Andrea Zelinsky; his children, Rene’ France of Sidney, MT, Michelle (David) Monahan of North Charleston, SC, Ty (Jennifer) France of Columbus, MT, and Daye France of Sidney, MT; his grandchildren Alexia (Kevin) Leland, Austin (Jamaica) Panasuk, Christie Monahan, Miles (Savannah) Monahan, Ryan France (Morgan Bosch), Kali (Trent) Walker, and Lane France (Olivia Chinn); his great grandchildren Halle’ Leland, Bridger Leland, Cambree Leland, Jett Leland, Truett Panasuk, Sutton Panasuk, Blake Walker, Cade Walker, and Bennett Monahan; his sister Patti Christensen of Watford City, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Darwin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley France, sisters Olive (Fred) Littell and Maxine (Gunner) Peterson, brother Billy France, twin sons, granddaughter Abbie France, and grandson Cory Monahan.

Memorial Contribution