Obituary - Erling L. 'Earl' Lynnes

Erling L. "Earl" Lynnes, 74, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Northern Montana Care Center. 

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. today, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at Fifth Avenue Christian Church, with burial following in Highland Cemetery. 

Earl's family has suggested memorial donations be made in his memory to Fifth Avenue Christian Church, the Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-line, or a charity of the donor's choice.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.  

Earl was born on October 27, 1946, in Rugby, North Dakota, to Norman and Evelyn (Schoenberg) Lynnes.  He was raised in Rolette and Glasgow before the family finally settled in Havre. He graduated from Havre High School in 1964.  He attended Northern Montana College briefly and studied at Kinman Business University in Spokane. Later, he met Marcia Watson at a CYC Dance at which he danced with her to "Brown Eyed Girl." A romance evolved.

In 1967, Earl and Marcia married, and the couple was blessed with two sons, Gregory and Jeffrey, whom they raised in Havre. They were devoted parents, always attending their boys' sporting events and tournaments, often with family or close friends.  Over the years, Earl worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, Coast to Coast Hardware and then began a 35-plus year career in the grocery business at Safeway and Gary & Leo's IGA.  Earl spent nearly seven years working full time and caring for his wife, Marcia, who was ill, until she passed away in 2012. During that time, he had several mini-strokes but persevered, always putting his wife first. He retired in 2009.

He enjoyed photography, stained glass, gardening, arranging flowers, yardwork, and traveling to both Disney Land and World and Hawaii with relatives.  Trips to Glacier Park with Marcia and family were always the highlight of most summers.  Once the grandchildren were born, Earl spent as much time with them as he could and they were always the highlight of his day.

He was a member and past master of Havre Masonic Lodge #55, member of First Lutheran Church and later on in life of Fifth Avenue Christian Church, where his faith was re-energized and a special bond formed with Pastor Rowlie Hutton and other members of the church.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marcia Lynnes; brother, Kenny Lynnes, and parents, Norman and Evelyn Lynnes; nephew Casey Williams and niece Bobbie Williams.

Earl is survived by his sons, Greg Lynnes of Havre and Jeff (Marcia) Lynnes of Lake Havasu City, AZ; grandchildren, Emaleah, Sara, and Andrew Lynnes; sister, Carol (Bill) Morley of Wisconsin; sisters-in-law, Judy (Robert) Williams of Big Sandy and Cindy (Greg) Lako of Hungry Horse; brother-in-law, Robert (Sue) Watson of Havre; nephews and nieces Cindi Morley, Patty Morley, Billy Morley, Mandy (Brad) Briney, Lisa (Brett) Weitzel, Rob (Mel) Watson, Rachel (Harrold) Powell, Jared Lako, and Nikki (Shane) Billedeaux; all of his great-nieces and great-nephews; and in-laws, Lon and Debbie Stratton of Arizona.