Obituary - Michael Allen Thole

Michael Allen Thole passed peacefully away with his family by his side Nov. 1, 2019, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home in Havre, Montana. A celebration of Mike's life will take place in July, when all of his family can attend.

Mike came into this world Aug. 28, 1962, the son of Shirley Kraft Gorman and Robert Thole. Mike was the oldest of five children. Mike grew up in Havre, graduating a Blue Pony in 1981. Mike was a free spirit with a happy-go-lucky attitude, and he always had a jug and a joke for all who knew him. Mike was also a big Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners fan; he never missed a game.

After graduation, Mike enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1982. Mike was stationed in Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. Mike met Tera Oybie and they got married in 1983.

Mike was deployed to Beirut to assist in recovery efforts. While in the Army, Mike joined the boxing club, in which he excelled and won many matches.

After Mike was honorably discharged from the Army, he moved to Seattle. It was at this time Mike lost Tera in a car accident. Mike worked as a petroleum engineer for a short while in Seattle.

Mike decided to leave Seattle and move to Hungry Horse, Montana, to help his dad out at the Packers Roost. Mike loved Hungry Horse, he made many friends and had many grand adventures.

Mike met Dianna Levay and they had a beautiful baby girl in 1997. Mike loved Randi more than anything in the world and would do anything for her.

In 2009, Mike moved to Fort Benton, Montana. Mike made many friends in Fort Benton. He loved the little town on the river.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Randilyn Lavay (Julio) and grandson, Samuel, of Silverton, Oregon; his mother, Shirley Gorman of Havre; his father, Robert Thole of Canada; his sister Arlyce (Phil) Wing of Seattle, Washington; his brother Doug (Jodie) Thole of Big Fork, Montana; Mike's good friend and brother-in-law Rod Smith of Havre; Mike's long-time love Crystal Conrad of Fort Benton and their dog, Panda Joe. Mike is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and longtime friend of more than 20 years Diane Jones of Fort Benton.

Mike is preceded in death by his wife, Tera, in 1986, his sister Ann Smith in 2005 and his brother John Thole in 2015 and stepdad Wes Gorman. Mike is also preceded in death by his grandparents, Herman and Dorothy Thole and Leo and Lois Kraft.