|
 Ronald
“Roy” J. Couture, 71, of Ronan, MT. passed away on April
4, 2006 after an eighteen month battle with lung cancer at
St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan.
Roy was born on July 30,
1934 in St. Ignatius, MT. to Joseph & Susie (Andrews)
Couture. He mostly grew up in Dayton & Elmo but had lived in
several places throughout the west. He attended schools at
the Ursalines, Flandreau in South Dakota and graduated from
Polson High School.
Roy served in the U.S.
Marines during the Korean War. After his discharge from the
military he returned to the Flathead Reservation.
Roy married Nadine Ducharme
and four children were born to this union.He and Nadine
later divorced. He married Janice Cotton on May 23, 1962 in
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Roy worked in the woods his
whole life. He logged for Bud Clark, Jack Long & Dick Grile
for most of his career. He also cut Christmas trees,
firewood, post & poles & railroad ties. Roy also worked at
the Lake County Sheriff’s Department as a jailer. Roy fought
forest fires until he was 56 years old. Roy was still
working until a week before his death.
He enjoyed hunting, working
on cars, attending Pow Wows and spending time with &
raising his grandchildren. Roy really enjoyed working in
the family concession stand at Pow wow’s.
He spent his last 18 years
working on his biggest dream which was to see that all of
his grandchildren be enrolled members of the Confederated
Salish & Kootenai Tribes.
He is preceded in death by
his parents, a daughter- Kathleen Sue Couture,
granddaughter- Cameron Hendrickson, grandson- Lester
Couture, sister- Regina Matt & Brother- John Thomas Couture.
He is survived by his wife-
Janice of Ronan, MT.
His children & their spouses: Wes
Couture and wife Linda of Billings, Tammy Couture of Reno,
NV, Ronnie Couture of Pablo & Herbie Couture & wife Betty of
Great Falls, MT.
Ronnie (Carmel) Couture of Ronan, Joe
Couture of Ronan, Shannon (Scott) Maxwell of Lewistown, MT.,
Todd (Gwen) Couture of Charlo, MT. & Shelly (Shane)
Hendrickson of Valley Creek he is also survived by several
grandchildren & great grandchildren.
Brothers & sisters- Rita
cannon of Polson, Rhoda (Joe) Whitehorse of Rocky Boy,
MT,Judy Phillips of Pablo, Richard (Annette) Couture of
Elmo, Butch (Barb) Couture of Parshell, & Aunt Helen Charlo
of Elmo, MT.
Wake services will begin on
Thursday, April 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the Elmo
Hall. Rosary services will be held on Friday, April 7th
at 8:00 p.m. at the hall. Mass of the Resurrection will be
held on Saturday, April 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the
Elmo Hall with Father Val Zdilla officiating. Military
Honors burial will follow at the Dayton cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to
the family at
www.groganfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by Grogan
Funeral Home of Polson.
|
