Samuel Bakshas

Samuel E. Bakshas went into the loving arms of his Lord on Sept. 8, 2004, in Spokane, Wash.

Sam was born June 4, 1915, in Winifred to Peter Bakshas and Augusta Bikneris, immigrants from Lithuania,

As a young boy, he grew up on a farm, ranching, breaking horses and riding the rails with his brother, Paul, moving cattle from Montana to Chicago and Omaha. He also rode trails from Texas to Montana. He and his brother and sister, Martha, organized rodeos and provided the rodeo stock.

He also worked in Grass Range at the ranch of Roy Ayres while Ayres was governor of Montana. It was there he met Roberta Brown, the love of his life and partner in marriage for nearly 64 years, where she was cooking for the threshing crews. It was the coldest spot in the nation when Sam and Roberta were married Nov. 10, 1940, in Lewistown.

Sam worked on the Hungry Horse Dam, residing in Hungry Horse until 1954. Upon completion of the dam, they moved to Columbia Falls, where he was employed by the Anaconda Aluminum Co. plant as a millwright.

Sam was instrumental in the formation and building of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, where he was an active member. He also belonged to Masonic Lodge 89, of Columbia Falls, where he was also on the Rainbow Board and earned a 50-year pin and is a life member, 32 degree and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Millwright and Machine Erectors Local 1699.

Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Paul, and sister Martha Bakshas LaFountain.

Survivors include his wife Roberta and daughter, Helen, of Pasco; daughter Marjorie and husband William Gravelle, of Columbia Falls; and a half sister, Augusta (Hazel) Newlin Ciceric, of San Diego, Calif.; grandchildren Gregory Gravelle and wife Shelly, Anthony Gravelle, and Tamara McMeans and husband Shannon; great grandchildren Meaghan and Travis McMeans, Josiah, Samuel, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nathaniel Gravelle; and also many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Sept. 15, 2004, at the Lutheran Church of the Master, in Pasco, Wash.

Contributions can be made to the Shrine Hospital, North 820 Summit Boulevard, Spokane WA 99201, or a charity of choice.