Duane Ankney, a storied lawmaker, coal miner and community organizer from Colstrip, died over the weekend. He was 79.

Ankney, a Republican, was as well known as the devoted protector of his industry town as he was for his wide, draping mustache. He served in eight legislative sessions, four in the House and four in the Senate.

In his farewell speech to the Montana Senate in 2021, Ankney likened his 16 years in the Capitol to obtaining his "blue-collar Ph.D."

"I’ve had some pretty memorable moments up here. Some good, some bad," Ankney said that afternoon. "I tried never to forget who sent me up here: The working men and women of Montana. I’ve always tried to represent them. I took some heat; I’ve been beat up pretty bad in the press. ... But if nobody’s noticing you, you’re not doing no

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