LOUIS ZYGMOND obituary

BILLINGS - Louis Frank Zygmond, life-long Montana resident, died Wednesday, May 17, 2006, of cancer at his home in Billings.

A memorial vigil will be held today at 7 p.m. at Cremation or Funeral Gallery. A funeral service will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Billings on Monday at 2 p.m. A reception will follow the services. A military burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery following the reception.

Lou was born in Havre on Aug. 25, 1925, to Olga (Hubert) and Alex Zygmond. He graduated from Havre High School in 1944. While in high school, he played on the basketball team. Lou, along with other members of this basketball team, went on to play semi-pro basketball after high school.

Lou was in the Army from April 1946 to October 1947, serving in Korea as a construction foreman. He was honorably discharged.

Lou married Marilyn “Mike” Kellen on June 9, 1951, at Iona, Minn. He started working for the Great Northern Railway in Havre after graduating from high school. In 1975, he transferred with the Burlington Northern to Laurel. Lou retired from the railroad in 1981. For the past 15 years, Lou and Mike wintered in Arizona and spent their summers in Billings.

Horse racing was Lou's avocation. He owned and raced several horses, never making a lot of money, but thoroughly enjoying the camaraderie of fellow owners and horsemen.

Lou and Mike enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and Europe. During their travels, they visited 49 of the 50 states. Lou and Mike were square dance enthusiasts, participating in many state and national square dance conventions. Lou was an avid gardener and a sports enthusiast. Since his teen years, Lou was a loyal St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan and Notre Dame football fan. In the last 20 years, his greatest joy was watching his grandchildren's sports events and other activities.

Lou was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Alex, John and Jack; sister, Jane Callahan; and brothers-in-law, Harold Webb and John Callahan.

Survivors include his wife, Mike; children, Mark of Wolf Point, Mary Jo (Tom) of Grand Rapids, Mich., Lora (Robin) of Choteau, Linda of Tempe Ariz., Jay (Carol); Curt (Laura) and Rozanne (Jeff) of Billings; 15 grandchildren; and great-grandson due the end of May; sister, Margaret Webb, of Havre; brother, Joe (Zonie) Zygmond of Havre; sisters-in-law, Marcia Zygmond of Mesa, Ariz., and Leslie Zygmond of Helena; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Lou's name can be made to the charity of one's choice.