Ross Herman Friede 1935 ~ 2017

SEELEY LAKE - Ross H. Friede, 82, of Seeley Lake passed away of natural causes Wednesday, July 5 at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula, Montana surrounded by family.

Ross was born June 18, 1935 on the family farm outside of Zurich, Mont., 13 miles from Chinook. He recently celebrated 62 years of marriage with his wife Lacene M. Galbraith Friede.

His parents were Herman W. Friede and Grace V. Hutchinson Friede. He was educated at Zurich and Chinook schools and was a member of the Montana National Guard. Over the course of his life, Ross worked hard to make a living to support his growing family - bus driver, truck driver, switchman on Great Northern Railroad, road engineering surveyor, insurance salesman, farmer – but found his true passion as a rancher at Two Creek Ranch in Ovando, Mont.

While not a formal member of many organizations or groups, Ross was never one to say no to anyone in need and gave his time, energy and dedication to friends, family and community – often without anyone knowing.

He was preceded in death by his grandson Michael; parents; sister Phyllis; brother Earl Friede; foster brother Dennis Galer; brothers-in-law John Hamilton, Jim Stephens and Ernie Scow; and sister-in-law Sharon Galbraith.

He is survived by his loving wife Lacene; children Ross L. (Butch) (Judy) Friede, Bruce H. (Teresa) Friede, David L. (Jill) Friede, Curtis S. (Kimberly) Friede and Racene Friede; grandchildren Jamie (John) Stitt, Rafe Friede, Brandon Friede, Dana Friede, Holly (Chantry) Krohn, Heather (Mark) Myre, Taylor Friede, Patrick Friede, Kelly Friede and Hope Friede; great-grandchildren Angus and Sawyer; siblings Dorris Hamilton of Chinook, Joann Scow of Salt Lake City, Paulette (Harold) Ludwig of Las Vegas, Gary (Susan) Friede of Florida, Steve (Susan) Friede of Havre, Dwight Galbraith of Washington and Helen Stephens of Chinook; numerous nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 22 from 1-4 p.m. at the Seeley-Swan High School gymnasium in Seeley Lake.