Robert (Bob) Ward passed away August 31, 2017, at Elsie’s Assisted Living in Belgrade, MT, from complications of dementia.
Bob was born February 5, 1931, to Tom and Belle (Livingston) Ward in Stipek, MT. He was raised near Glendive with his four brothers and four sisters. He went to country school and then high school in Glendive where he loved playing football.
He married Bonnie Jean Nelson on February 5, 1949, and they had four children. Bob started working for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1949, and they resided in Glendive until 1957 when they moved to Livingston to advance his career and made their home there. They lived in several cities in Washington and Iowa and after 42 years with the railroad, he retired out of Havre in 1991. They then moved to Bozeman. Bonnie passed away September 1995. They were married 46 years. Bob re-married in April 1997 to Anita Hovland of Bozeman. She passed away November 2014, and they were married 17 years.
Bob loved camping, fishing, hunting, bowling, and anything to do with horses. He especially loved being with his family. He truly will be missed by us all.
Survivors include his four children, Normajean Bingley of Glendive; Connie (Don) Zarr of Belgrade; Linda Ward of Bozeman; Robin (Viki) Ward of Lincoln, NE; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Milan (Dorothy) Ward of Mandan, ND; two sisters-in-law, Betty Lou Ward of Livingston and Harriet Ward of Billings; Anita’s children, Kent (Linda) Hovland of Belgrade; Laird Hovland of Sante Fe, NM; Brook (Rhoda) Hovland of Billings; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind the staff at Elsie’s Assisted Living where they treated him like family.
Memorials may be made in his name to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Silvernale Silha Funeral Home in Glendive, MT. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at Dawson Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com
