Samuel Courchane Sr.

Samuel Courchane Sr.

Samuel Courchane Sr., 82, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Benefis East Hospital in Great Falls, Mont., due to cancer.

A wake began Thursday afternoon, March 21, 2013, at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church followed by his vigil service at 7 p.m. Samuel's funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. Friday, March 22, 2013, at Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will be at the Courchane Family Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Samuel was born Aug. 6, 1930, in Rocky Boy, to John Courchane and Melanie "Minnie" Houle. He enlisted in the United States Army, July 17, 1952, and was honorably discharged July 15, 1960. After his years in the Army, he returned home and worked construction as a laborer for many years. He married Nancy Swan. Samuel liked the outdoors, hunting, fishing and riding his quad. He liked to crack jokes and was a master story teller. He was a strong, quiet person who made an impression on everyone he met. Sam loved his family, and was a generous and wonderful father and grandfather.

Samuel was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son; his wife, Nancy in 1993; his sisters, Catherine Carlson, Alice Courchane and Rose Wells; nephews, Allan Potter, Leslie Houle and Duane Wells; nieces, Rosemarie Foley, Cindy Randa, Shirley Wells and Veronica Wells; and one grandson, Shalako St. Marks.

He is survived by his children, Jackie Swan, Sam Courchane Jr., Melanie Courchane and Laoma (Tim) "Babe" Collins, all of Rocky Boy and Nadine Poitra of Big Sandy, and Tyson Courchane of Box Elder; sister, Mary Ann Dustrude; numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren; the nieces and nephews Samuel helped raise, Denise Potter, Jim Boy Potter, Lois Potter and Greg Courchane; and his godchild, Jamie Marie Contreras.