ADEN WARD obituary

Aden E. Ward, 84, of Chester died at the Chester hospital on the early morning of Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a. m. Saturday at the Chester United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery. Aden was born Jan. 8, 1922 at Chester to Les and Laura (Martell) Ward. Aden grew up on the family homestead south of Chester and received his early education at the Erickson Country School. He finished his schooling in Chester where he graduated from Chester High School in 1941. Aden married his young bride, Maxine Schaefer, on April 18, 1942, in Great Falls. They farmed on the homestead, then purchased the land in 1944. After the outbreak of World War II, Aden contributed to the war effort by working in a vegetable cannery in Oregon and an aircraft factory in California. He eventually returned to his farm in Montana. Aden made his home in the Chester community his entire life. The Ward's purchased a second farming operation near Eastend, Saskatchewan, in the early 1960s. They commuted to Canada for 30 years, then sold the farm in 1993. That same year they purchased another farm south of Rudyard. Aden was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about 10 years ago. He worked hard to maintain his health by exercising at the local fitness center and taking his daily four-mile walks around town. He did relatively well until six months ago. He recently entered the Liberty County Nursing Home for extended care. Two weeks ago he transferred to the Liberty County Hospital for acute care.

Aden was baptized as an adult in the Chester United Methodist Church and maintained his membership there. He had served on several boards over the years, including the A.S.C.S., the South Chester Water Users and the Liberty Sweeps shovel factory. He also served on the Erickson and Prairie View school boards. Aden's favorite pastime was woodworking. His carpentry skills were self-taught and exceptional. He constructed quality china and knickknack cabinets, buffets, grandfather clocks, and other items of fine furniture for family and friends. Aden also enjoyed dancing, playing cards (mainly pinochle), and attending the high school sporting events of his children and grandchildren. Aden had a personal collection of more than 250 caps. In addition, he and Maxine liked to travel. Over the years, they made five memorable trips to Aden's favorite destination, Hawaii. During hiss long walks around Chester, Aden stopped at his favorite places to visit with friends. He loved spending quality time with his family, especially his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Aden loved his life as a farmer. He never officially retired and continued to farm until his health failed. He was well-respected as a farmer. Whenever Aden started the spring work or did something innovative, his neighbors quite often followed suit. He always kept his farmland, grounds, buildings and machinery in topnotch condition. Harvest season was one of Aden's favorite times of the year. He was happy to know that this year's harvest went smoothly, the yields were exceptional, and the “crop was in the bin.”

Aden was preceded in death by his parents, a great-grandson, Jeremy Seidlitz Bullock; brother, Walter Ward; and sisters, Vena McCullock, Stella Thisselle and Lila Laas. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Maxine Ward of Chester; daughter, Sharon (Ray) Seidlitz of Chester; son, Ron (Priscilla) Ward of Chester; eight grandchildren; 22 greatgrandchildren; brother, Larry (Mary) Ward of Kalispell; brother- in-law, Earl Thisselle of Chester; sister-in-law, Teresa Ward of Fairfield; and numerous nephews and nieces. Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester. Memorials will be given to the Liberty County Hospital or donor's choice.