Don Meier

Donald Lyle Meier, 88, passed away on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at the Pondera Medical Center Long-term Care facility.

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Jan. 20 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Asper Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Don was born in Lemmon, S.D., May 12, 1929 to Roland P. “R.P.” and Francis (Mills) Meier. At a very young age, he and his brothers, Dale and Darrell, put their musical talents to work and formed a band known as The Triple D's. Their mother played piano while Dale played saxophone, Darrell was on drums and Don played the accordion. They performed many places throughout South Dakota and Montana, where the family eventually settled. All three brothers graduated from Conrad High School and continued to live in Conrad with their families.

Don fell in love with a beautiful brown-eyed girl, Alice Leys, and they were married Aug. 23, 1949. They had four children, Linda, Patty, Jim and Tim and built their life around the kids' interests and activities.

Don began working at Arnot's when it was still a grocery store and stayed on, eventually selling carpet, furniture and draperies once the store transitioned into the furniture business. Owner Robert Arnot, Sr. was like a father to him. Countless people in the Golden Triangle area enjoyed working with this skilled salesman as he helped them bring beauty into their homes and businesses. He retired from Arnot's after working there for 48 years. He was truly a people person and loved working with his customers.

Don worked hard to provide for his family but found time to serve on various boards and committees. He loved singing with St. Michael's Choir and being on the Conrad Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as the Chief for many years. If he could have had a second career, he would have chosen firefighting, a place where he enjoyed the brotherhood of his fellow firefighters and found the work immensely fulfilling.

Don really found his niche when he became a grandpa. He loved going to school programs, any and all activities the kids were involved in from T-ball to basketball, and band and choir concerts. He loved to tell his grandkids, “The best job I ever had was walking you to school.” He fully supported anything his grandchildren participated in.

He and Alice loved traveling and eating delicious food and took trips to Hawaii, the Fall Foliage Tour and Branson, Mo. When Alice developed Alzheimer's, their life together changed but their devotion to each other never wavered. They say the best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother and Don did that over and above what any child could ask for. When Alice went into the nursing home in Conrad, Don went too, not wanting to leave her side. Theirs was a love story that lasted 62 years before Alice passed away in 2011.

Don remained in the nursing home, where he was well taken care of and comfortable. He never complained to his children and was pleasant to visit with, recognizing everyone who came to see him until the end.

This quiet gentleman lived and loved fiercely and faithfully. We will miss you so much Dad, Papa, Grandpa.

Don is survived by his sons, Jim (Becky) of Conrad and Tim of Iowa City, Iowa; daughters, Linda (Bill) Wadman of Great Falls and Patty (Don) Grubb of Cut Bank; his grandchildren, Tricia (Bryan) Haines, Justin (Tori) Meier, Marcy (Travis) Dorschel, Molly and Rose Grubb, Wyatt and Willie Wadman, Valora (Mark) Freeman and Vanessa (Geof) Rapkoch; great-grandchildren Connor and Spencer Haines, Gavin, Nate and Scarlet Dorschel, Janessa Freeman, Isaiah Wadman and Owen Rapkoch; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Aggie Leys; sister-in-law Irene Oldenkamp; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Alice; infant son, Tommy; his parents; brothers Dale and Darrell and their wives; and granddaughters Kelly Grubb and Willow Wadman.

Memorials may be made to Conrad Volunteer Fire Department, 15 5th Ave. SW, Conrad, MT 59425; or to Conrad Scholars, PO Box 787, Conrad, MT 59425.