A. Eugene (Bud) Thingelstad
RONAN — On Aug. 28, 2014, A. Eugene (Bud) Thingelstad passed away at his home north of Ronan. He was born on July 12, 1931, on the eastern plains of North Dakota, in the small farming community of Northwood to Adolph and Sophia Thingelstad. He was christened Andrew Eugene Thingelstad after his grandfathe, and joined into the family with older sister, Clarice (Onsager). Sister Clarice called him her little Buddo, and thus the nickname, “Bud.” A few short years later, a brother Luther (Judy) Thingelstad joined the family as well.
Bud graduated from Northwood High School, and worked with the family construction business. He fell in love with and married Barbara Jean Onsager in 1951, a young girl from the local farming community who worked downtown at the local bank. Bud and Barbara began their family with son Dana (Debbie) Thingelstad. Then came Daniel (Jan) Thingelstad, and then Dorre (Bill) Webster.
Bud moved his family to Ronan in 1969 and Bud and Luther decided to work together as Thingelstad Construction in 1970. The two constructed businesses and homes from Flathead Lake to Missoula to Plains. Later, Luther moved on to join Hanson and Granley True Value and Bud continued on with Thingelstad Construction, adding his sons, Dana and Dan, to the family business as it grew.
Bud loved the Mission Mountains and studied their peaks and shapes and colors continuously through the years. He enjoyed camping, fly-fishing and annual horseback rides into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with his close buddies. Sharing coffee, gossip and good jokes at the bakery in Ronan was another favorite pastime. Barbara passed away in 1996. He lived out his retirement years at his home, studying home health remedies and getting to know each and every new addition to the Thingelstad family. Grandchildren include: Danell Thingelstad, Elizabeth (Cody) Sherman, Travis Thingelstad, Blane (Rebecca) Thingelstad, Kara (Kevin) English, Bo (Rachael) Woods, and Krysta Woods. Great-grandchildren include: Amber, Annabelle, Tristan, Kiara, Coleton, Natalee, Lillian, Ryder and Alyssia.
A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at 2 p.m., and his ashes will be laid to rest beside Barbara at the Ronan Cemetery following the service. Come join Dana, Daniel, Dorre and their families in a celebration of life at Bud’s home at 36113 Mud Creek Lane following the services.
