DEAN VAN VOAST obituary

TURNER Dean Ransom Van Voast, 82, of Turner died Saturday July 29, 2006, in a farm accident at Turner.

The service will be held at 10:30 a. m. Thursday in the Turner High School gymnasium. Dean was born April 21, 1924, in Turner to Jess and Cora (Calvert) Van Voast. Dean graduated from Turner High School in 1942 and remained close friends with many of his classmates. He married his life-long dance partner, Rose Olafson, on Aug. 17, 1947, in Havre, and they danced through life with Rose's twin sister, Ruth, and her husband, Cranny Hawley. Dean lived his entire life in Turner, and his chosen profession was farming. He honed his farming skills as a young man, working with his father and brothers before purchasing his own family farm, where he lived and worked with his sons. He worked for Big Flat Electric in Turner for one winter, worked at the radar base north of Havre for a winter, farmed in Canada with good friend Gerald Hutton, and farmed in the Bear Paw Mountains for eight years with Francis and Don. As an active community member, Dean was involved in the NFO, school board, Turner Volunteer Fire Department, Toastmasters, and held a private pilot's license. Dean enjoyed visiting, consulting, and traveling with his beloved brother Jack and wife, Carla. He especially looked forward to the annual family reunion on Flathead Lake at his brother Curt's. Throughout his life, he had a passion for farming, flying, inventing and practical jokes. Dean was known for big tractors, low-flying airplanes, his inventions, hot peanuts and coyote callers.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Warner and Bobby; and great-grandson, Andrew. Survivors include his loving wife, Rose (Olafson) of Turner; sons, Francis (Peggy) Van Voast and Don (Valerie) Van Voast of Turner; daughters, Darla (Phillip Kolar) Quinlan of Lewistown and Bette Jo (Jay) Snider of Hogeland; grandchildren, Ricki (Chris) Brueher of Spokane, Wash., Jess Van Voast of Havre, Josh Van Voast of Billings, Jeanne (Chad) Lee of Helena, Angie (Matt) Eckdahl of Superior, Colo., Robert Van Voast of Turner, Tyler, LeAnn and Lissa Quinlan of Lewistown, Zach, Lacie and Lane Snider of Hogeland; two great-grandsons; brothers, Curt Van Voast of Rollins and Jack (Carla) Van Voast of Turner; sister-in-law, Gen (Ed) Emery of Conrad; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to the Turner Park or the charity of your choice. Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is in charge of the funeral arrangement.