Obituary - Frank L. Brien

Frank L. Brien of Havre, 88, passed away surrounded by family due to complications from pneumonia Monday, Jan. 6th, 2020, at Northern Montana Hospital.

A Rosary will be recited Friday, Jan. 10th, at 7 p.m. at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Home in Havre. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Jan. 11th, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Havre. Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery with military honors.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

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

Frank was born February 18th, 1931, in St. John, ND, to Mitchel and Rose (McGillis) Brien, where he was raised. Frank enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in March of 1952 and fought in the Korean war. After leaving the Marines, he moved to Havre, and Dec. 28th, 1957, he married Donna Lazier. They had two children, Robert and Debbie. He worked for the Great Northern Railway at the diesel shop and retired after 38 years. During his time off he drove buses for St. Jude's and the Blue Pony activity bus, tinkered on cars and did landscaping.

Frank was also very active in karate. He later became the head of the C.H.A. 3 northwestern regional area holding the title of senior chief instructor as a ninth-degree black belt. He had a dojo in Havre, and several of his students became black belts and continued to higher levels. Several of his black belt students will be his pallbearers. He was well respected by all C.H.A. 3 instructors and students in the U.S. and Guam.

Retirement for Frank was short. In 1997 he began at the Blaine County Sheriff's Office in Chinook starting at the adult jail and then later the Juvenile Detention Center until it closed in 2010, at which time he again retired. He was later proud of his police officer grandsons.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 59 years, Donna; son, Robert Ray in 1994; sisters-in-law Cathy and Judy; brother, John; sisters, Rosalie Slater and Elizabeth LaVallie; and brother-in-law "Pep" Ray Lazier.

He is survived by his daughter, Debbie (Tim) Gomke of Chinook, with grandchildren Justin and Tanner; daughter-in-law, Diane Brien of Great Falls; grandchildren Michael and Nikki; brother-in-law Jack Lazier of Havre; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be sent to the Havre Animal Shelter, 520 Fourth Street, the Montana Parkinson's Association, 3509 MacDuff Circle, Billings, MT 59101, or to a person's choice.