Signe McMaster, 89, of Lynnwood, Wash., passed away on Sept. 19, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash.
Graveside services will be held at the Highland Park Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Brad Ulgeness officiating. Burial will follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the Yellowstone Boys Ranch or to a charity of one’s choice. Local arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Signe was born on Jan. 26, 1919, in Havre to Martin and Charlotte Tronstad. After graduating from Havre High School, Signe married Bruce E. McMaster on June 15, 1941, in Havre. Signe worked for many years at the Citizens Bank until the family moved to Maple Valley, Wash., in 1972. While in Havre, Signe enjoyed the friendship and social interaction with many life-long friends and relatives. Signe and Bruce had a particularly strong relationship with the Art Anderson family, Cy Morrison family, Tip Leeds family, Tommy Baker Sr. Family, Fred Miller family, and others. They all had a great sense of humor and got along famously. They enjoyed playing cards, picnicking at Beaver Creek, and, of course, hunting and fishing. Life was good. After moving to the Seattle area due to Bruce’s heart condition, Signe worked for the Pioneer Bank branches in Federal Way and Lynnwood, ash., until she retired in 1989 at the age of 70. After Bruce passed away in 1976, Signe continued to establish many new friends in the Seattle area. She enjoyed concerts and theatrical performances in Seattle and continued to play bridge until shortly before her death. Signe also traveled to various destinations around the world with her niece Lynn Decker. Signe had the best qualities you can find in a person. She was polite, honest, hardworking, kind, intelligent and forgiving. Signe always had a positive attitude and never complained about anything. She loved a good joke and loved to tell them. She lived by the saying, “If you can’t say something nice about a person, don’t say anything at all.” Signe was always impeccably dressed and always gave you a smile. No matter how old you were, she could always teach you something about life; you just needed to watch and listen. She was a refined lady and taught her sons at a young age that “manhood is not measured by profanity” soap helped. Signe was all about relationships with people, not things. She will be missed by all. Signe is survived by her three sons, James B. McMaster of Couer D’Alene, Idaho, Thomas M. (Zora) McMaster of Bellingham, Wash., and John E. (Jennifer) McMaster of Maple Valley, Wash.; grandchildren, Brett, Shawn, Kelly, Jace, Tina, Jonathan and Justin; and greatgrandchildren Zack, Eden, Samantha, Sydney, Austin, Hayden, Dylan and Tyler. Signe was predeceased by her husband, Bruce, and siblings, Alf Tronstad, Ann Siers and Margaret Decker.
