Lucas Michael Stalder, (LPC)

It is with great sadness that the family of LUCAS MICHAEL STALDER, 51, of Boise, Idaho, formerly of Billings, MT, announces his sudden passing of natural causes on February 19, 2025. 

Luke is survived by his mother, Diane Conrey of Denver, CO; his sister Tyre Concagh, spouse Brian Concagh and niece, Kai Concagh of Denver, CO; his son Finian of Meridian, ID; his aunt Linda (Pungello) and spouse Lewis Desetto of Atlanta, GA, his aunt Mary Curtis and spouse James Curtis of Winston Salem, NC and his cousins, Marilyn Hoffman of Indianapolis, ID and Richard Nichols of Greer, SC. 

He is predeceased by his father, Louis John Stalder; his grandparents, Miriam Mott Rutyna and Lt. Col. Ernest Fredrick Brockman, Margaret Wynne Pungello and Louis Stalder and his uncle James M. Pungello 

Luke was born in Austin, TX on June 30, 1973. He grew up in Montana, exploring the wonders and history of the state with family and friends. He learned the basics of ranch living - riding horses, bucking bales, feeding cows in blizzards, calving season and mutton busting in a rodeo. For fun, there was always fishing, hunting, hiking and camping, hot springs and exploring historical locations. He loved to read, particularly great literature and World War II history. When not working, Luke loved to spin stories and hang out in coffee bars. 

Luke was employed in Billings, MT by Quality Concrete for many years. There he learned the construction trade and was proud of his skills, which he had learned from the owner, Kenny Hagel. In fact, over the years Kenny and his wife Mary Hagel had become family to Luke. After graduating from Montana State University, Billings with High Honors in History in 2001, Luke spent several years in Seoul, Korea teaching English as a second language. Returning to Billings, he married Kathleen Hardy, whom he had met while at MSU-B. They moved to Boise in 2007 and welcomed Fin into their family in 2010. Luke received his Masters in Counseling from Boise State University in 2014. He worked in the community as an addiction and family counselor. 

In March of 2023, Lucas received a diagnosis of Metastatic Melanoma. He was treated with an aggressive immunotherapy regimen though St. Luke’s Cancer Center and was in full cancer remission since July of 2023. He was able to progressively return to his full life activities, working with clients and making future plans with the news of his remission. 

He was employed by Terry Reilly at the time of his death. 

Luke was a devoted father, a beloved son, brother, cousin and friend. He was an outstanding and knowledgeable professional counselor. Luke had many long-term friendships due to his loyalty, as well as, the wealth of his companionship. For more than 25 years Luke played internationally in video game challenges; from these encounters he gained a new and enriching circle of friends. Luke loved the outdoors, “shooting hoops” with his son, gambling, firing his gun collection, driving his turbo-charged car, and engaging in challenging discussions. He loved Montana with a passion, and as Mike Mansfield, the Montana Senator, once said, “You 

can take the boy out of Montana, but you can’t Montana out of the boy.” It was Luke’s plan to return to Montana after his son completed high school in Idaho. Luke will be remembered for his integrity, loyalty, intelligence and humor. 

A gathering is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 2:00pm to 5pm at Summers Funeral Home,3629 E Ustick Rd ,Meridian, ID 83646 ,(208)-917-2525 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Lucas’ name to the American Cancer Society, towards a memorial tree in Lucas’ name to be planted this summer in Billings, Montana or for donations to be given for his son, Finian Stalder, for a college savings account. Please send donations for Lucas to his sister and executor:

Tyre Concagh  Venmo account Tyre Conrey-Concagh @Tyre-Conrey or can send mail to 2145 S. Lafayette St. Denver CO 80210