Obituary - Robert Leroy LaSalle

Robert Leroy LaSalle, 80, passed away of natural causes on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at his residence.

Wake services will begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, and will continue until his funeral service, which will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2016, all at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the LaSalle Family Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Robert's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Robert was born on Dec. 2, 1935, on Mount Baldy, to William "Bill" and Mabel (Wallace) La Salle, the fifth of seven children. He was raised in the Bear Paw Mountains, attending school in Havre. Robert graduated from Havre High School in 1954. He spent one semester at Northern Montana College and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving until his honorable discharge in 1958.

Robert then returned to Northern Montana College, majoring in civil engineering. In 1960, Robert married Jenny Billy in Havre, and the couple made their home in Rocky Boy, raising their six children there. For many, many years, Robert worked as a heavy equipment operator for Baltrusch Construction.

Robert was a hard worker who passed that quality down to his children. He spent his time working the ranch and working with heavy equipment, seldom taking time for himself. He loved his family, and enjoyed teaching them by example. He was a member of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, the Little Shell Band and a former member of the Havre Eagles.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mabel LaSalle; his sisters, Vi Crossen, Lorraine Ervin, Joann Brown and Shirley LaSalle; and his brothers, Richard and Jim LaSalle.

He is survived by Jenny LaSalle, his beloved wife of 56 years, of Rocky Boy; his daughter, Marlene (Ron) Walker of Albuquerque, N.M .; his sons, Robert (Susie) LaSalle, Leon (Shannon) LaSalle, Logan (Louann) LaSalle, Merlin LaSalle and Mike LaMere, all of Rocky Boy; his 14 grandchildren; his 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.