Albert Lasater

Albert R. Lasater 95 of Ryegate Mt passed away Friday, June 28th, 2019 of natural causes at his home with his family by his side. He was born in the Tie Creek area of Montana near Ekalaka on October 23, 1923 the son of Jesse E. and Mary Ellen (Berry) Lasater. They lived on a homestead, which is still owned by a relative of the family. In 1938 they moved into Ekalaka so the children could attend high school, where he graduated in 1942. Later that year he entered the United States Navy, attending boot camp in Northern Idaho. This was cut short by a desperate need for Seamen in the massive buildup of troops. Albert graduated radar training in Chicago, and sailed aboard the Orion, from San Diego to Honolulu, where he received more training in this exciting new field of radar. He then served aboard the USS Proteus, a submarine tender, until the war ended. The USS Proteus was in Tokyo Bay the morning of September 2, 1945, when the surrender ceremony took place on the deck of the battleship, USS Missouri. Seamen aboard the Proteus were able to witness this historic event with the use of binoculars. Albert received his Honorable Discharge in 1946.

He returned to Montana and met the love of his life Donna Mae (Kay) Rishor and they were united in marriage on June 20, 1950 in Kellogg, ID. Albert held many positions working as a welder, carpenter, sheep-shearer, grave digger, farmer and rancher. He worked for the railroad, the REA (Rural Electric Association) and Golden Valley County Road Department. In 1962 he was elected Clerk of District Court of Golden Valley County and he held that position until 1985.

Albert was an historian, inventor, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many.

Albert is survived by his wife Kay of 69 years of Ryegate; children Earl (Jeanie) of Kuna, ID, Mary Jo Jones of Spokane, WA, Nora (Bryce) Phelps of Billings, MT and Paul (Julie) Lasater of Shepherd, MT; one brother Harold of Manhattan, MT; 6 grandchildren Dason (Tess) Lasater, Damie (Stephanie) Lasater of Boise, ID, Justen (Wynne) Phelps of Boulder, WY, Eugene Pitts Lasater of Shepherd, MT, Jake (Ashleigh) Lasater of Billings, MT, Christina (Chris) Gomer of Shepherd, MT; 11 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

Memorial Mass for Albert R. Lasater was held Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mathias Catholic Church in Ryegate with committal following in the Ryegate Catholic Cemetery.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the Ryegate Senior Center, and they may be left with the Perkins Funeral Home, PO Box 313, Harlowton, MT 59457. Condolences to the family may be left on-line at: http://www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com/