LYNN TAPLIN obituary

Lynn Elwood Taplin, 65, of Havre, retired railroad conductor, died Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006, of complications from diabetes at Northern Montana Hospital.

Friends and family are invited to share their stories and memories of Lynn at the VFW Club in Havre on Thursday from 5 to 8 p. m. A meal will be provided. Lynn was born Aug. 4, 1941, in Butte to James Elwood Taplin and Mary Ellen (Seery) Aune. He graduated from Dixon High School in 1959 and went to work as a gandy dancer on the railroad, fixing and repairing the track. He joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, from 1960 to 1963. He came home and attended the University of Montana, receiving a teaching degree and taught in Bainville, Sidney and Helena. He spent his summers as an aerial observer for the Forest Service. Lynn married Jean Faulstich. They had two daughters and divorced. He later married Lynda Osborn Mosbrucker, who has been his companion for 31 years. Lynn rode his motorcycle in the rain to hire out on the railroad as a conductor in Havre in 1979. He retired from the BNSF in 1999. Lynn loved big game hunting, fishing, motorcycles, railroading, Montana and his family. Survivors include his wife, Lynda; daughters Lisa Hinrichs of Havre and Mary Ellen (Bob) Kropp of Great Falls; stepsons, Jeff Mosbrucker and Jim (Kim) Mosbrucker of Havre; five grandchildren; sisters: Ann (Ron) Ries of Cody, Wyo., and Karen (Dave) Bellaire of Atlanta, Ga.; brothers, Peter Aune of Portland, Ore., and Bill Aune of Olympia, Wash.; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and his faithful friend, “Big Dog.” Memorials can be made to the Fort Assinniboine Preservation Association, P.O. Box 310, Havre, MT 59501.