Robert Dennis Roseleip
SAINT IGNATIUS — Robert Dennis Roseleip, 80, of Saint Ignatius, died of natural causes on May 21, 2010 at St. Luke Extended Care Facility in Ronan.
Robert (Bob) was born December 6, 1929 in Dubuque, Iowa to Robert and Zada Marie (Wunderwald) Roseleip. He spent his first four years on the farm with his parents near Platteville, Wisconsin until the Great Depression forced the family to seek more promising ventures out west. In the spring of 1934 young Bob and his parents settled in the Mission Valley where they eventually purchased a farm east of St. Ignatius. Bob lived there with his parents and younger sister, Linda, through his formative years.
Bob was active in football and FFA in high school having achieved the FFA State Farmer degree and was also a state officer in the Montana FFA Organization. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1947. He married Dorathy Salomon in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Pablo on May 5, 1949.
Bob and Dorathy continued to farm with his parents as well as purchasing their own farm at the foot of the Missions east of St. Ignatius. They moved their growing family to this farm and built a dairy on it in 1955.
Over the years Bob was active in Zion Lutheran Church in St. Ignatius and also served on the Boards of Directors for Consolidated Dairies, United Dairymen’s Association and Western Montana Federal Land Bank. Bob was active on the farm and dairy until his health forced his retirement in 1982 when he and Dorathy built a new home nearby where they have lived since.
Bob and his devoted wife of 61 years, Dorathy were blessed with six children, Dennis and Dixie Roseleip, Billings; David and Jan Roseleip, Spokane, Wash.; Jerry and Billye Roseleip, Deer Lodge; Julie and Matt Indreland, Livingston; Jeanne and Guy Rasmussen, Missoula; and Mike and Laura Roseleip, Kent, Wash.; 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, all who survive him.
Also surviving him are his younger sister Linda and David Werdin, nephews, Monty (and Sue) Werdin all of Lewistown; and Mark (and Atsuko) Werdin of Ellensburg, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1999 and his mother in 2008.
A memorial service was held at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Ignatius on May 25 with a reception following at the St. Ignatius Senior Center.
Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, St. Ignatius Senior Center or an organization of the donor’s choice.
