Lalon Roger Trang, 83, of Nashua, Montana, died Thursday, August 8, 2019, in the Intensive Care Unit of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana. Our beloved father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather will be missed, but he’s no longer in pain, and for that we are grateful.
Lalon was born on February 7, 1936, to Ole and Anna (Paulson) Trang. He was raised on a farm in the Ossette community with his two sisters and four brothers. From the very beginning, he developed a love for the land and farming. After graduating from Glasgow High School in 1954, he married the schoolteacher at the Cottonwood School across from the farm, Arlene Ramsbacher, on June 15, 1958. He received his draft notice in the mail on the day they returned from their honeymoon, and he served in Fort Carson, Colorado, and Fort Lewis, Washington, for the next two years. He then received “an early out” to go home and run the farm. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve on August 31, 1964.
Lalon loved farming, ranching, family and sports. His favorite time of day was the early morning. He loved breathing in the crisp, cool air and listening to the birds sing as he started the daily chores. Lalon was also a carpenter. When he wasn’t tending to fields or caring for cattle, he was busy remodeling or building additions to his own home, sharing his love for woodworking with his kids by building projects alongside of them, or building cabinets in his workshop for neighbors in the surrounding areas. He played on the Ossette baseball team with his neighbors, even during harvest, and he attended all his children’s events at the Peerless School and surrounding area. One of his favorite pastimes was to drive to the Silver Dollar in Richland and play Pitch.
He was elected to the Daniels County Board of Commissioners in 1996 and served for approximately 10 years. In 2008 he left his commissioners job mid-term to move to Wyoming to raise goats, but they stayed there for just a few months. Upon their return from Wyoming, they moved into Lorel Waarvik’s house in Nashua.
He was a member of the Peerless School Board, served on the board of the Richland Oil Station, Our Savior’s Lutheran, and the Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua. He was confirmed in Glasgow by Rev. Huseby and later became a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, of Larslan, Montana, where he maintained his membership until its closure in 1994. He was married at Our Savior’s Lutheran and his oldest son was also married there in 1992. He became a member and was a regular attendant at Grace Lutheran in Nashua at the time of his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Borghild Trang and Millie (Trang) Clausen; and three brothers, Lavern, Jake and Ernie.
Lalon is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arlene; three sons, Roger (Terry), Kelly (Pam) and Thom (Dina) Trang; two daughters, Barb (Mike) Castleman and Vicki (Justin) Heupel; thirteen grandchildren, Taylor (Chaz) Hopstad, Matt (Melissa) Sonsteng, Jessica Sonsteng, Morgan Trang, Jake Trang, Caleb Trang, Elia (Scott) Jarvis, Logan Castleman, Nathan Trang, Mikaela Trang, Abigail Trang, Luke Heupel and Evan Heupel; three great-grandchildren, Reese Sonsteng, Kellan Sonsteng and Silas Hopstad. He is also survived by one brother, Myron (Sharon) Trang, and several nieces and nephews.
May God bless his memory.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 21, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 21, 2019
Nashua Cemetery
Nashua, Montana 59248
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday August 21, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday August 21, 2019
Nashua Cemetery
Nashua, Montana 59248
Nicki and Larry Mace says
My dear cousin Arlene and family
Larry and I were so sorry to hear the news of Lalon passing away. Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. I know how much he enjoyed the sports. When we would stop in Nashua to see you, Larry would watch whatever baseball game may have been on t.v. and they would chat about football.
Prayers for God’s comfort and strength to surround you and bring you peace.
All our love
Larry and Nicki (Bondy) Mace
Chucky Bondy says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember spending a lot of time with you all out on the farm in the summers and once in the winter. Lalon was always so nice! Patient,, understanding, funny, great music maker! I remember the smell of his pipe, him chewing on his cigar, righting a tipped snowmobile and asking if we were ok, worried about your horse that would frequently leave to fo visit the neighbors….. sitting at the Silver Dollar and dancing. Such good memories of such great times! Wish I could be there with you all to celebrate his life! Hugs and love, Chucky
Robin Henry says
Hi Arlene, I am so sorry to hear about Lalon. I will be praying for you and your family. I know God will bring comfort and peace to all of you. Love you, Robin