Lloyd Wesley Kaercher passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at the age of 94. He was born on the family farm near Sage, Montana on July 15, 1922, the youngest of Norman and Eunice Annette (Angus) Kaercher’s five sons (brothers, Thomas and Lewis, died in infancy).
Lloyd had many fond memories of his brothers, Lorn and Eugene, and growing up on the farm, swimming in Sage Creek and camping in Glacier National Park. The boys drove a buggy 3 ½ miles to Pleasant Valley School (known as Swift School) for their primary grades and Lloyd attended Rudyard High School, staying at the hotel, feeding the proprietor’s cats and filling her stove with fuel oil to earn his keep. During the summer he topped sugar beets in Chinook and after graduation Lloyd spent 22 months in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Adak, Alaska. He was home on leave when he met his best friend in life, Audrey Langel. They were married October 25, 1947 at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, a loving union that lasted 68 years until Audrey’s death, July 17, 2016.
Lloyd and Audrey lived with Lloyd’s parents, Norman and Nettie Kaercher at Goldstone, for the first five years of their marriage and the birth of three of their six children. In 1952 they moved their young family to property they purchased west of Havre where they raised grain and kids for more than 50 years.
Lloyd never considered himself as a strong student, but was often at the kitchen table with a slide rule calculating the pitch for rafters for Quonsets, grain bins, and shops that he built by his own hand. He was an inventive man who worked hard at being the best farmer he could be. He loved technology and embraced change. Early efforts to improve production included rigging two tandem tractors and he later cited purchasing the Big Bud as a major milestone in his life. Lloyd was active in the farming community and served on a number of boards including Farmer’s Union. He served eight years as a national representative on the CENEX Board of Directors.
Lloyd loved a good story and enjoyed nothing better than sitting around the kitchen table hearing about the antics of farm life from his family, which included imitations of Lloyd trying to communicate from the combine with whistles and hand motions to a napping teenaged truck driver. For those who knew him, it was one of life’s greatest joys to see Lloyd share his tricks with the whoopy stick, enjoy a good joke and hear his hearty laugh. He believed in working hard and playing hard and provided his children and later his grandchildren with homemade monkey bars, merry-go-round, ice skating rink and the legendary go-cart. Farm life included hay rides, bonfires, sledding parties and many summer days at Fresno Lake. A favorite family memory was of Lloyd being pulled behind the boat, sitting on a camp chair while balancing on a homemade plywood ski board. He put on a hat and sun glasses and pretended to smoke a pipe and read a newspaper all while holding onto the ski rope.
Because Lloyd felt so strongly that his own life was blessed, he loved helping others and volunteering and once was honored as Hill County’s Senior Volunteer of the Year for his efforts with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Hi-Line.
Lloyd never lost his zest for life, his positive outlook or his love of a good story. He was happiest surrounded by family and friends, once stating he had everything he ever needed within 100 miles of home.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Audrey, his daughter, Joyce Slothower of Banden, Oregon and his parents and brothers Lorn and Eugene.
Lloyd is survived by his children Diane Kaercher of Mill Valley, CA; Susan Kaercher (Larry Pike) of Salt Lake City, UT; Les (Terri) Kaercher of Havre; Joan (Eric) Hendricks of Billings; and Doug (Darla) Kaercher of Havre. He is also survived by son-in-law Bear Slothower; his grandchildren Daniel (Crystal) Slothower, David (Whitney) Slothower, Luke Peterson, Wes Peterson, Kyra Kaercher, Jamaica Kaercher, Logan Hendricks, Trevor (Melissa) Hendricks, Katherine Kaercher (Austin Small), Mary Kaercher (Evan Ohm) and Anna (Tom) Howell and a great-granddaughter, Matilda Hendricks. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line and the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, or to the charity of one’s choice. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Care and Comfort Home for their exceptional and loving care.
Lloyd had many fond memories of his brothers, Lorn and Eugene, and growing up on the farm, swimming in Sage Creek and camping in Glacier National Park. The boys drove a buggy 3 ½ miles to Pleasant Valley School (known as Swift School) for their primary grades and Lloyd attended Rudyard High School, staying at the hotel, feeding the proprietor’s cats and filling her stove with fuel oil to earn his keep. During the summer he topped sugar beets in Chinook and after graduation Lloyd spent 22 months in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Adak, Alaska. He was home on leave when he met his best friend in life, Audrey Langel. They were married October 25, 1947 at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, a loving union that lasted 68 years until Audrey’s death, July 17, 2016.
Lloyd and Audrey lived with Lloyd’s parents, Norman and Nettie Kaercher at Goldstone, for the first five years of their marriage and the birth of three of their six children. In 1952 they moved their young family to property they purchased west of Havre where they raised grain and kids for more than 50 years.
Lloyd never considered himself as a strong student, but was often at the kitchen table with a slide rule calculating the pitch for rafters for Quonsets, grain bins, and shops that he built by his own hand. He was an inventive man who worked hard at being the best farmer he could be. He loved technology and embraced change. Early efforts to improve production included rigging two tandem tractors and he later cited purchasing the Big Bud as a major milestone in his life. Lloyd was active in the farming community and served on a number of boards including Farmer’s Union. He served eight years as a national representative on the CENEX Board of Directors.
Lloyd loved a good story and enjoyed nothing better than sitting around the kitchen table hearing about the antics of farm life from his family, which included imitations of Lloyd trying to communicate from the combine with whistles and hand motions to a napping teenaged truck driver. For those who knew him, it was one of life’s greatest joys to see Lloyd share his tricks with the whoopy stick, enjoy a good joke and hear his hearty laugh. He believed in working hard and playing hard and provided his children and later his grandchildren with homemade monkey bars, merry-go-round, ice skating rink and the legendary go-cart. Farm life included hay rides, bonfires, sledding parties and many summer days at Fresno Lake. A favorite family memory was of Lloyd being pulled behind the boat, sitting on a camp chair while balancing on a homemade plywood ski board. He put on a hat and sun glasses and pretended to smoke a pipe and read a newspaper all while holding onto the ski rope.
Because Lloyd felt so strongly that his own life was blessed, he loved helping others and volunteering and once was honored as Hill County’s Senior Volunteer of the Year for his efforts with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Hi-Line.
Lloyd never lost his zest for life, his positive outlook or his love of a good story. He was happiest surrounded by family and friends, once stating he had everything he ever needed within 100 miles of home.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Audrey, his daughter, Joyce Slothower of Banden, Oregon and his parents and brothers Lorn and Eugene.
Lloyd is survived by his children Diane Kaercher of Mill Valley, CA; Susan Kaercher (Larry Pike) of Salt Lake City, UT; Les (Terri) Kaercher of Havre; Joan (Eric) Hendricks of Billings; and Doug (Darla) Kaercher of Havre. He is also survived by son-in-law Bear Slothower; his grandchildren Daniel (Crystal) Slothower, David (Whitney) Slothower, Luke Peterson, Wes Peterson, Kyra Kaercher, Jamaica Kaercher, Logan Hendricks, Trevor (Melissa) Hendricks, Katherine Kaercher (Austin Small), Mary Kaercher (Evan Ohm) and Anna (Tom) Howell and a great-granddaughter, Matilda Hendricks. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line and the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, or to the charity of one’s choice. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Care and Comfort Home for their exceptional and loving care.
Lloyd Wesley Kaercher passed away on Friday, November 25, 2016 at the age of 94. He was born on the family farm near Sage, Montana on July 15, 1922, the youngest of Norman and Eunice Annette (Angus) Kaercher’s five sons (brothers, Thomas and Lewis, died in infancy).
Lloyd had many fond memories of his brothers, Lorn and Eugene, and growing up on the farm, swimming in Sage Creek and camping in Glacier National Park. The boys drove a buggy 3 ½ miles to Pleasant Valley School (known as Swift School) for their primary grades and Lloyd attended Rudyard High School, staying at the hotel, feeding the proprietor’s cats and filling her stove with fuel oil to earn his keep. During the summer he topped sugar beets in Chinook and after graduation Lloyd spent 22 months in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Adak, Alaska. He was home on leave when he met his best friend in life, Audrey Langel. They were married October 25, 1947 at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, a loving union that lasted 68 years until Audrey’s death, July 17, 2016.
Lloyd and Audrey lived with Lloyd’s parents, Norman and Nettie Kaercher at Goldstone, for the first five years of their marriage and the birth of three of their six children. In 1952 they moved their young family to property they purchased west of Havre where they raised grain and kids for more than 50 years.
Lloyd never considered himself as a strong student, but was often at the kitchen table with a slide rule calculating the pitch for rafters for Quonsets, grain bins, and shops that he built by his own hand. He was an inventive man who worked hard at being the best farmer he could be. He loved technology and embraced change. Early efforts to improve production included rigging two tandem tractors and he later cited purchasing the Big Bud as a major milestone in his life. Lloyd was active in the farming community and served on a number of boards including Farmer’s Union. He served eight years as a national representative on the CENEX Board of Directors.
Lloyd loved a good story and enjoyed nothing better than sitting around the kitchen table hearing about the antics of farm life from his family, which included imitations of Lloyd trying to communicate from the combine with whistles and hand motions to a napping teenaged truck driver. For those who knew him, it was one of life’s greatest joys to see Lloyd share his tricks with the whoopy stick, enjoy a good joke and hear his hearty laugh. He believed in working hard and playing hard and provided his children and later his grandchildren with homemade monkey bars, merry-go-round, ice skating rink and the legendary go-cart. Farm life included hay rides, bonfires, sledding parties and many summer days at Fresno Lake. A favorite family memory was of Lloyd being pulled behind the boat, sitting on a camp chair while balancing on a homemade plywood ski board. He put on a hat and sun glasses and pretended to smoke a pipe and read a newspaper all while holding onto the ski rope.
Because Lloyd felt so strongly that his own life was blessed, he loved helping others and volunteering and once was honored as Hill County’s Senior Volunteer of the Year for his efforts with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Hi-Line.
Lloyd never lost his zest for life, his positive outlook or his love of a good story. He was happiest surrounded by family and friends, once stating he had everything he ever needed within 100 miles of home.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Audrey, his daughter, Joyce Slothower of Banden, Oregon and his parents and brothers Lorn and Eugene.
Lloyd is survived by his children Diane Kaercher of Mill Valley, CA; Susan Kaercher (Larry Pike) of Salt Lake City, UT; Les (Terri) Kaercher of Havre; Joan (Eric) Hendricks of Billings; and Doug (Darla) Kaercher of Havre. He is also survived by son-in-law Bear Slothower; his grandchildren Daniel (Crystal) Slothower, David (Whitney) Slothower, Luke Peterson, Wes Peterson, Kyra Kaercher, Jamaica Kaercher, Logan Hendricks, Trevor (Melissa) Hendricks, Katherine Kaercher (Austin Small), Mary Kaercher (Evan Ohm) and Anna (Tom) Howell and a great-granddaughter, Matilda Hendricks. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line and the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, or to the charity of one’s choice. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Care and Comfort Home for their exceptional and loving care.
Lloyd had many fond memories of his brothers, Lorn and Eugene, and growing up on the farm, swimming in Sage Creek and camping in Glacier National Park. The boys drove a buggy 3 ½ miles to Pleasant Valley School (known as Swift School) for their primary grades and Lloyd attended Rudyard High School, staying at the hotel, feeding the proprietor’s cats and filling her stove with fuel oil to earn his keep. During the summer he topped sugar beets in Chinook and after graduation Lloyd spent 22 months in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Adak, Alaska. He was home on leave when he met his best friend in life, Audrey Langel. They were married October 25, 1947 at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, a loving union that lasted 68 years until Audrey’s death, July 17, 2016.
Lloyd and Audrey lived with Lloyd’s parents, Norman and Nettie Kaercher at Goldstone, for the first five years of their marriage and the birth of three of their six children. In 1952 they moved their young family to property they purchased west of Havre where they raised grain and kids for more than 50 years.
Lloyd never considered himself as a strong student, but was often at the kitchen table with a slide rule calculating the pitch for rafters for Quonsets, grain bins, and shops that he built by his own hand. He was an inventive man who worked hard at being the best farmer he could be. He loved technology and embraced change. Early efforts to improve production included rigging two tandem tractors and he later cited purchasing the Big Bud as a major milestone in his life. Lloyd was active in the farming community and served on a number of boards including Farmer’s Union. He served eight years as a national representative on the CENEX Board of Directors.
Lloyd loved a good story and enjoyed nothing better than sitting around the kitchen table hearing about the antics of farm life from his family, which included imitations of Lloyd trying to communicate from the combine with whistles and hand motions to a napping teenaged truck driver. For those who knew him, it was one of life’s greatest joys to see Lloyd share his tricks with the whoopy stick, enjoy a good joke and hear his hearty laugh. He believed in working hard and playing hard and provided his children and later his grandchildren with homemade monkey bars, merry-go-round, ice skating rink and the legendary go-cart. Farm life included hay rides, bonfires, sledding parties and many summer days at Fresno Lake. A favorite family memory was of Lloyd being pulled behind the boat, sitting on a camp chair while balancing on a homemade plywood ski board. He put on a hat and sun glasses and pretended to smoke a pipe and read a newspaper all while holding onto the ski rope.
Because Lloyd felt so strongly that his own life was blessed, he loved helping others and volunteering and once was honored as Hill County’s Senior Volunteer of the Year for his efforts with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Hi-Line.
Lloyd never lost his zest for life, his positive outlook or his love of a good story. He was happiest surrounded by family and friends, once stating he had everything he ever needed within 100 miles of home.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his best friend and wife, Audrey, his daughter, Joyce Slothower of Banden, Oregon and his parents and brothers Lorn and Eugene.
Lloyd is survived by his children Diane Kaercher of Mill Valley, CA; Susan Kaercher (Larry Pike) of Salt Lake City, UT; Les (Terri) Kaercher of Havre; Joan (Eric) Hendricks of Billings; and Doug (Darla) Kaercher of Havre. He is also survived by son-in-law Bear Slothower; his grandchildren Daniel (Crystal) Slothower, David (Whitney) Slothower, Luke Peterson, Wes Peterson, Kyra Kaercher, Jamaica Kaercher, Logan Hendricks, Trevor (Melissa) Hendricks, Katherine Kaercher (Austin Small), Mary Kaercher (Evan Ohm) and Anna (Tom) Howell and a great-granddaughter, Matilda Hendricks. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line and the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, or to the charity of one’s choice. The family extends their gratitude to the staff of Care and Comfort Home for their exceptional and loving care.
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