Lowell L. Gilman, 92

Lowell L. Gilman, 92, slipped away peacefully Tuesday, April 8, 2008, "to be reunited in glory with those who have gone before." He was a lifelong resident of the Ruby Valley, currently residing at the Tobacco Root Mountain Care Center.

Lowell was born in Ruby on Feb. 12, 1916, to Leslie G. Gilman and Ada Taylor Gilman. He lived in Ruby for the first 75 years of his life. Lowell attended elementary school in Ruby and graduated from Virginia City High School. He attended Montana State College, and returned home to work on construction of the Ruby Dam and to ranch with his father. His passions were his faith, his family, his ranch and his community of friends.

Lowell was swept off his feet by Laura Moore of Sheridan, and they were married on Christmas Eve 1944, in the Methodist Church. They raised five children, were active in the community and operated the ranch together until Laura's death in 1986.

In 1988, he married Edna Armitage Ellinghouse and they spent 13 of their golden years together traveling, ranching and enjoying family until her death in 2001.

Survivors include his daughters, Karla and Earl Houtz of Kalispell, and Sharon and Ron Rau of Beaverton, Ore.; sons, Leslie and Donna of Ruby, and James and Anita of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; stepdaughter, Lynn, and Gary Tavenner of Missoula; and stepson, George and Jane Ellinghouse of Billings; his close nephew, Ron Kunkel; and many other nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and friends, all of whom were revered by him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; both of his wives; his siblings, Harold, Elaine and Lela; his first son, Glenn; and his great-grandson, Paden.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Bethel United Methodist Church in Sheridan, with the Rev. Ben Nardi officiating. Interment will be afterward at the Taylor Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.