TWIN BRIDGES — On Aug. 16, 2011, at 8:25 a.m., Norman Granville Ashcraft died at Barrett Memorial Hospital in Dillon after an extended illness.
He was born in Lexington, Mo., on April 17, 1927, to Ernest and Fern Ashcraft. In 1935 Norman's family moved to Wheeler, Mont., where they remained while his father worked on the building of Fort Peck Dam. Later his family moved to Roundup, where Norman graduated from high school and entered the Army during World War II. He served his country overseas in the Corps of Engineers.
While hitchhiking to Roundup after being discharged, he passed through the Ruby Valley and swore he would make his home there one fine day. In 1948, he came to Twin Bridges with $60 and a chainsaw. He was a sawyer and lumberjack.
From childhood his goal was to one day own a cattle ranch. With blood, sweat and hard work over many years, Norman achieved his goal. He established a beautiful ranch on the Big Hole River, and loved every day on his land.
On June 14, 1957, he married Loretta Gay Loveridge, his beloved wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife and three children, Norman "Chip" of Silver Star, Elizabeth of Idaho, and Dave (Cindy) of Twin Bridges, and 11 wonderful grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Rad Lawver, Ben, Jack, Matt, Jonathon, Katie, and Kristen Ashcraft, Andrew, Anna, Thomas, and Sarah Knapp. He is also survived by two brothers, Dwight (Sally) of Three Forks and Bing of Twin Bridges; two sisters, Maida Lee Harper of Hardin and Martha (Bill) Schnurr of Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Chuck Vanderpas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eleanor Vanderpas.
He left many nieces and nephews. He taught many life lessons to his children and many boys and girls that crossed his path. Rest Dear Heart, We Love You Dearly.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. from the Church of the Valley at Twin Bridges with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.
He was born in Lexington, Mo., on April 17, 1927, to Ernest and Fern Ashcraft. In 1935 Norman's family moved to Wheeler, Mont., where they remained while his father worked on the building of Fort Peck Dam. Later his family moved to Roundup, where Norman graduated from high school and entered the Army during World War II. He served his country overseas in the Corps of Engineers.
While hitchhiking to Roundup after being discharged, he passed through the Ruby Valley and swore he would make his home there one fine day. In 1948, he came to Twin Bridges with $60 and a chainsaw. He was a sawyer and lumberjack.
From childhood his goal was to one day own a cattle ranch. With blood, sweat and hard work over many years, Norman achieved his goal. He established a beautiful ranch on the Big Hole River, and loved every day on his land.
On June 14, 1957, he married Loretta Gay Loveridge, his beloved wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife and three children, Norman "Chip" of Silver Star, Elizabeth of Idaho, and Dave (Cindy) of Twin Bridges, and 11 wonderful grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Rad Lawver, Ben, Jack, Matt, Jonathon, Katie, and Kristen Ashcraft, Andrew, Anna, Thomas, and Sarah Knapp. He is also survived by two brothers, Dwight (Sally) of Three Forks and Bing of Twin Bridges; two sisters, Maida Lee Harper of Hardin and Martha (Bill) Schnurr of Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Chuck Vanderpas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eleanor Vanderpas.
He left many nieces and nephews. He taught many life lessons to his children and many boys and girls that crossed his path. Rest Dear Heart, We Love You Dearly.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. from the Church of the Valley at Twin Bridges with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.
TWIN BRIDGES — On Aug. 16, 2011, at 8:25 a.m., Norman Granville Ashcraft died at Barrett Memorial Hospital in Dillon after an extended illness.
He was born in Lexington, Mo., on April 17, 1927, to Ernest and Fern Ashcraft. In 1935 Norman's family moved to Wheeler, Mont., where they remained while his father worked on the building of Fort Peck Dam. Later his family moved to Roundup, where Norman graduated from high school and entered the Army during World War II. He served his country overseas in the Corps of Engineers.
While hitchhiking to Roundup after being discharged, he passed through the Ruby Valley and swore he would make his home there one fine day. In 1948, he came to Twin Bridges with $60 and a chainsaw. He was a sawyer and lumberjack.
From childhood his goal was to one day own a cattle ranch. With blood, sweat and hard work over many years, Norman achieved his goal. He established a beautiful ranch on the Big Hole River, and loved every day on his land.
On June 14, 1957, he married Loretta Gay Loveridge, his beloved wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife and three children, Norman "Chip" of Silver Star, Elizabeth of Idaho, and Dave (Cindy) of Twin Bridges, and 11 wonderful grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Rad Lawver, Ben, Jack, Matt, Jonathon, Katie, and Kristen Ashcraft, Andrew, Anna, Thomas, and Sarah Knapp. He is also survived by two brothers, Dwight (Sally) of Three Forks and Bing of Twin Bridges; two sisters, Maida Lee Harper of Hardin and Martha (Bill) Schnurr of Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Chuck Vanderpas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eleanor Vanderpas.
He left many nieces and nephews. He taught many life lessons to his children and many boys and girls that crossed his path. Rest Dear Heart, We Love You Dearly.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. from the Church of the Valley at Twin Bridges with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.
He was born in Lexington, Mo., on April 17, 1927, to Ernest and Fern Ashcraft. In 1935 Norman's family moved to Wheeler, Mont., where they remained while his father worked on the building of Fort Peck Dam. Later his family moved to Roundup, where Norman graduated from high school and entered the Army during World War II. He served his country overseas in the Corps of Engineers.
While hitchhiking to Roundup after being discharged, he passed through the Ruby Valley and swore he would make his home there one fine day. In 1948, he came to Twin Bridges with $60 and a chainsaw. He was a sawyer and lumberjack.
From childhood his goal was to one day own a cattle ranch. With blood, sweat and hard work over many years, Norman achieved his goal. He established a beautiful ranch on the Big Hole River, and loved every day on his land.
On June 14, 1957, he married Loretta Gay Loveridge, his beloved wife of 54 years.
He is survived by his wife and three children, Norman "Chip" of Silver Star, Elizabeth of Idaho, and Dave (Cindy) of Twin Bridges, and 11 wonderful grandchildren whom he loved dearly: Rad Lawver, Ben, Jack, Matt, Jonathon, Katie, and Kristen Ashcraft, Andrew, Anna, Thomas, and Sarah Knapp. He is also survived by two brothers, Dwight (Sally) of Three Forks and Bing of Twin Bridges; two sisters, Maida Lee Harper of Hardin and Martha (Bill) Schnurr of Lombard, Ill.; and a brother-in-law, Chuck Vanderpas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Eleanor Vanderpas.
He left many nieces and nephews. He taught many life lessons to his children and many boys and girls that crossed his path. Rest Dear Heart, We Love You Dearly.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. from the Church of the Valley at Twin Bridges with Rev. Ben Nardi officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Twin Bridges Cemetery.
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