Don Neil Gasser, 81

Don Neil Gasser, 81, "was peacefully called home to be with the Lord and his beloved wife, Rosel," on April 1, 2006, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born Nov. 9, 1924, in Cut Bank to Otto and Olive Mae (Tootsie) Gasser. Don attended school in Cut Bank and Sunburst, and graduated from Garfield County High School in Jordan.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Germany, where he met his future wife, Rosel Engel, an Army nurse. They were married Dec. 24, 1948, in Forsyth.

Don grew up ranching with his parents and owned a cattle ranch at Sand Springs for 45 years before he retired to Arizona and then moved to Kalispell. He was an excellent horseman, and he also became an excellent mechanic, carpenter, inventor and amateur veterinarian, as a rancher.

An avid reader, he taught himself several languages and had a continued thirst for learning. Don loved music. He played the trumpet in high school and he had played the violin since fifth grade. He was a member of the Jordanaires in Garfield County and of the Flathead Valley Troubadours, playing old-time music. He was also a member of RSVP.

Don found a spiritual family as a Lutheran going to the Church of Creston and played in the worship band. He was a resident of Immanuel Lutheran Home at the time of his death.

He is survived by one son, Mark Gasser, and wife, Lynn, of Kalispell; one daughter, Heidi Thomas, and husband, Dave, of Mount Vernon, Wash.; two grandchildren, Lee Gasser of Kalispell, and Sarah Gasser of Phoenix; also one great-granddaughter, Jadyn.

Memorial services for Don Neil Gasser will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Church of Creston, with Pastor Darold Reiner officiating.

The family suggests memorials be made to Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Don's family.