John Sago, Jr.
John Sago Jr. of Polson, Montana went to his home above on Thursday September 24th. He had been residing at Evergreen Care Facility in Polson for the previous 17 months, though in his heart he remained with his beloved wife Louise at his home overlooking Melita Island and Flathead Lake.
John was born June 29th, 1926, to John Albert and Minnie Etta Sago in Big Timber, Montana. They lived on Sunny Slope Ranch where he grew up with farming and ranching in his blood. He attended Sweetgrass High School in Big Timber, after primary school at a small country schoolhouse. He moved with his family to Billings, Montana in 1943 and attended Billings Business College. John entered military service in 1945 with the US Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor. He served as chauffeur for Admiral “Bull” Halsey. At the end of the war, he was honorably discharged and returned to Billings.
John became involved in a church planting effort in the Lockwood Flats area of Billings, and he led the early meetings in addition to superintending the Sunday school. As the church became established, he went to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to attend Hillcrest Christian College. He again returned to Billings and married Marjorie Anne Benner in 1951. Marjorie died in an auto accident in 1969, while their children and they were living in Huntley, east of Billings. In 1970, he married Louise Anna Pensis and moved back to Billings once again. Louise and he owned and operated A-1 Rentals on Grand Avenue. In 1988, they sold the business, and eventually retired to Polson, MT and built a large house so all the family could visit.
His last project, before leaving Billings for the final time, was to organize and direct the building of a new facility for the church he had helped to found decades before. Living in Polson, Louise and he traveled the nation and the world, including trips to Russia and China. John was a masterful house builder, a skill he learned from his father. His sons and he built four homes for the family. One of his greatest joys was to use his equipment and his knowledge to help others. He was unstinting in his generosity and kindness. Though he had little time to pursue the pastime early in his life, after moving to Polson he greatly enjoyed fishing for lake trout with his friends. John and Louise have been active members of the Gideons International Bible organization for over 35 years, and participated in all aspects of the ministry. He was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Polson, and led the singing there for many years.
He is survived by his wife Louise, his sister Joyce Appleman (Don) of Oklahoma, children Virginia Bolstad, Billings; Virginia Hooper (Ralph), Abbotsford BC, Canada; Martin Sago (Nan), Polson; Andrew Sago (Joyce), Billings; John James Sago, Sturgis SD; Annetta Spurlock (Marty), Spearfish SD; Thomas Sago (Naureen), Columbia Falls; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009 from 9 AM until 5 PM at the Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 2:00 PM at Lakeview Baptist Church, Polson with Pastor Kevin Rettig officiating. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International at PO BOX 205 Polson, MT 59860 and there will also be a table at the memorial service. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.
Martin and Nan,
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Martin and family,
So sorry to here of your family’s loss. I didn’t know your father except through Martin. Take solace in the fact that he is no longer in pain and I’m sure he is resting in the hand of the Lord. God Bless
Martin, Jim and families,
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you and yours.
Dear Louise and family, May God comfort you at this time. Our prayers are with you. How blessed to know that Johnny can moved freely as he is with his Heavenly Father.
LOUISE
I AM SADDENED TO SEE JOHNNY’S NAME IN THE OBITURIES.
I’M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND AM THINKING OF YOU
My love and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. God will wrap his arms around you and give you peace that no other can give. Love Ya, Carolyn
Hello Martin, Virginia and all (you two are the ones I knew the best!), I am sending my sincere sympathy and condolences on the loss of your dad. It will be 4 years at Christmas since I lost my dad to Alzheimer’s, so I’m sure that you will miss your dad, too. ” They are not gone who live in the hearts of others.” It is also a comfort to know when one of our loved ones has gone home! I understand that there will be another all-class reunion on the 2nd weekend of July in 2011–we haven’t planned anything for next year, so perhaps we will celebrate our 40th a year late! I’m sure that people celebrating a 40th graduation in 1970 were much, much older than we are–doesn’t seem possible!!
To the Sago Family,
Your dad always showed us kindness. Both of our family’s moved to the Huntley Project where we shared more than one fun time. I remember one year when your carrots were particularly abundant and your dad gave us a perhaps 100lbs. Those were the sweetest carrots I have ever eaten.
God Bless you in this time of sorrow.
Nathan (Howie) McCranie
My sympathy to the family of John whom I remember from our Youth Fellowship days at the EUB church in Billings, MT in the 1940′s. It is sad to see any of our loved ones slip away but comforted in the knowledge he is with our Lord.
John was always so happy with a smile for all. May you have many good memories of his kindness and love. Our sincere sympathy to the family. Wish I could be there but will be there in spirit. God bless you this day and always. Love Velta and Jack Morton
Mom and I are so sorry for your loss…we have had many conversations this week about Johnny and Henry back when they were good friends and working on the Lockwood Church…fond memories. What conversations they will have now! Thinking about you all… Erma and Joyce
John was a friend of many years, starting with prewar years in Billings and later as a lay member of the Montana Conference of the Evangelical church. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him.
Sorry to hear about John’s death. I was a good friend to Joyce Sago, and knew Marjorie in the l940′s. I’m sure he will be missed by family members. (Romans 8:28) Emogene
Martin & Nan, sorry to hear about your father’s passing. It is nice to know that he is in heaven with his Creator, and that we will be together with those we love who believed in Jesus. You are in our prayers.
missing him and he will always be remembered