Stanley James Hould, 90

Stanley James Hould, a man whom reinvented himself numerous times during life through various successful careers, passed away at age 90 in Kalispell, on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, surrounded by his family.

Stanley, or S.J., as he was referred in his youth, was born on July 27, 1927. He was born at home on the homestead of his parents Marguerite and Sid Hould in Wagner, Montana. Stan was the second of three boys in the Hould family.

From an early age the three boys, Denver, Stan and Donald, learned the tools of the farming trade while getting an education at a nearby, one-room schoolhouse. As tale was told, all three boys rode the 5 miles to school each day on a single horse. This school was significant to the family because, it was where Margueite (King) Hould came to teach when she moved to Montana from North Dakota in 1917. Stanley then attended Malta High School where he was on the basketball team and participated in the local 4H club.

Stan’s college career included time at Carroll College and the University of Nebraska. During his second year of college, his father passed away and Stan was called home to help his mother run what had grown into a large farm and ranch. He continued to run the ranch with his mother until marrying Beverly Ann Harrison in 1950 and soon after, welcoming his first child, Ann Marie.

Stan and his young family moved to a dry land farm in Dutton, Montana. The old homestead had no running water; each day water was hauled from 10 miles away for washing and drinking. Stan worked diligently to operate the farm, with only the help of a single hired man during the harvest. In the early years the yield would be five bushels to an acre; and a wished-for bumper crop would be 15. During the winter months, Stan would return to Malta to work at the Peters’ Lumber Yard. This job taught him carpentry skills that he continued to enjoy throughout his life.

In 1956, Stan went back to college at the University of Montana, where he completed his undergraduate degree in science and then obtained a master’s degree in physics and science in 1960. The family began spending winters in Helena and Stan went to work overseeing ranch lands for the Rankin family. During this time, he also taught math at the girl’s reform school in the Helena Valley. Summers continued to be spent working the dry land farm near Dutton.

In 1963 Dutton became his year-round residence. That year, Stan was named principle of the Dutton grade school. In the school district he also taught German, physics and chemistry. During these years of teaching and farming, Stan welcomed two more children, Jami and Jay. After guiding and mentoring many of Dutton’s youth, he retired from teaching and moved to Conrad in 1970 to embark on a career in the construction industry.

In Conrad, Stan built and remodeled homes, while also working on commercial construction projects. It was during this time Stan became interested in the seed growing distribution industry, which he saw as having significant opportunity for growth. This led Stan to yet another reinvention.

In 1975, he started his own seed company, Big Sky Wholesale Seeds, in Shelby. Stan grew the company from a rented warehouse with a trailer for an office, to a successful, well-respected native grass seed supplier. He developed a wide network of relationships with farmers and seed industry professionals which he viewed as both collogues and friends. This business has continued to prosper and grow, now owned by his son, Jay.

In his retirement, Stan moved on Flathead Lake. He loved fishing, gardening and continued to build homes in Lakeside.

In 1994, Stan married Pat Lambrecht. They shared a great passion for the accomplishments of their blended family. Their real delights were with all the grandchildren — “Ah, the lake life.”

The couple spent 18 winters in Wickenburg, Arizona, where Stan became involved with the business aspect of Pat’s art career. Subsequently, he also developed of love for painting.

Stan and Pat spent 23 loving years together. Stan has left many great and funny memories for us. He was loved by all, and will be greatly missed.

Stan is survived by his wife, Pat Lambrecht-Hould, of Lakeside; daughter, Ann Hould-Ward of New York; son, Jay Hould (Diane) of Shelby; daughter, Jami Dyrdahl (Lance) of West Linn, Oregon; daughter, Tresha Lambrecht-Holden (Jack) of Valier; daughter, Tanya Lambrecht of Kalispell; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-Law, Myrtle Hould of Malta, and Kay Hould of Malta; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Stan’s memorial will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 5 at the Community Church in Lakeside, with a lunch/reception to be served.

In lieu of flowers, please send condolences to Home Options (Hospice), 275 Corporate Drive, Suite 600, Kalispell, MT 59901.