Jackie Dale Ivankovich

Jackie Dale Ivankovich passed away the evening of September ninth at his Anaconda home of fifty-three years.

Always regarding his own life a charmed one, Jackie was the third of five sons born to Helen and Mike Ivankovich. Growing up on Maple Street, Jackie experienced the iconic childhood of a regular Anaconda kid. One block away from Saint Paul's playground and four from the Commons, in a neighborhood full of free-range kids, he played marbles and baseball and worked on old cars.

A 1965 graduate of Anaconda High School, Jackie attended "The School of Mines" and Northern Montana College before dutifully volunteering for the draft in 1968. Upon his return from overseas, he worked as a construction laborer for almost ten years. Seeking less seasonal employment, Jackie was hired by The United States Post Office where he carried mail for the next thirty-four years.

Jackie loved old music, old cars and old friends. His unwavering optimism and an appetite for risk prompted him to buy a business after the "Hill" closed and to use his high school '57 Chevy for a family sedan. He liked games of chance and was quite sure he would win the lottery. Early in his married life, Jackie even went so far as to purchase a house in the heart of McGinleyville, five blocks from his parents, but only two from his in-laws: though his older brother lived one block away, just in case.

Calling every task a five minute job, and armed with high energy, ingenuity and a roll of duct tape or baling wire, Jackie contributed to countless projects for family and friends, mentoring his helpers every step of the way. Somewhat amazingly, his beloved home on Seventh Street is still standing and his 1957 Chevy still runs,

He was an altar boy, a Boy Scout, and a soldier, and as faith filled a family man as one could find. He spoke his mind, learned from mistakes, forgave mistakes and prayed his be forgiven. He honored the young and the old and adored his brothers and his in-laws. He called his kids and grandkids blessings from God and he thought his wife was beautiful.

Jackie braved life with four brothers, the jungles of Viet Nam and a fifty-four year marriage with children; courageously, lovingly and joyfully. And we will miss him with all of our hearts.

Our Jackie, our Dad, our Papa; well, he simply defied gravity.

Jackie was preceded in death by parents, Mike and Helen Feige Ivankovich; grandparents, Dan and Selma Denda Ivankovich; aunts, Janet Ivankovich Blenco, Eleanor Ivankovich and Virginia Ivankovich Sheilds; uncle, Floyd Ivankovich; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Scotty and Aileen Ferguson: brother-in-law, Joe Ferguson and sister-in-law, Jane Ferguson Paddock; and many extended family members and in-laws.

Jackie is survived by his wife Nancy Ferguson Ivankovich; son and daughter-in-law, Dominic and Erin Ivankovich, daughter and fiancé, Jennifer Anderson and Mike Stevens; grandchildren, MacGregor and Sara Kingman Anderson, Luke and Isabelle Ivankovich Busby and Delaney Ivankovich: brothers and sisters-in-law and families: Mike and Lora Luna Ivankovich and family, Dan and Linda Meyer Ivankovich and family, Rick Ivankovich and family and Ted Ivankovich and family; uncle, Harry Blencoe and family and the family of deceased aunt, Virgina Ivankovich Sheilds; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Terry and Mary Jean Vaughn Ferguson and family, sister-in-law, Colleen Caulfield Ferguson and the family of deceased sister-in-law Jane Paddock: numerous extended family members and in-laws.

Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 2100 Continental Drive, Butte, MT 59701, Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service to follow at 6:00.

Funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. followed by burial at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Anaconda.

A luncheon will be served at the Forge Hotel, 100 Union Ave. in Anaconda immediately following the burial.

Memorials are suggested to Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, 2100 Continental Dr., Butte, MT 59701; or Oncology Hematology Infusion Center@ Anaconda Community Hospital Foundation, 401 W. Pennsylvania, Anaconda, MT 59711.

Please visit below to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Jackie.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Jackie and his family.