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Obituary - Duane M. Sohm

Duane M. Sohm, "Red," 83, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. 

Viewing will be Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at the Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel with Pastor John Chapman officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorials in Duane's honor may be made to a memorial of the donor's choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Red's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .

Duane was born Feb. 21, 1931, in Danbury, Iowa, to Francis and Leonella (Dirkx) Sohm. His mother died when he was 9 months old. He was raised in Danbury and attended schools there until he moved out to Montana in 1946 to be near his father and brother. He finished high school in Kremlin, Montana, graduating in 1947. He went to work for the Great Northern Railroad in Havre. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953. After his discharge he returned to work for the Great Northern Railroad in the yard. He retired from the railroad as a hostler in 1992 after 43 years. He also worked for Havre Ready Mix driving cement trucks for many years.

Duane ,or "Red," as others called him, enjoyed the Bear Paw Mountains and his cabin. In his younger years, Red liked to fish and  hunt with the guys. You would always see him driving around town checking on what everyone was doing. He enjoyed making bird houses out of old license plates and using any other treasures he may find in his travels. He planted a garden every year and started the plants as seedlings in his house until it was planting weather. He had a rough and tough personality but was generous and kind-hearted once you got to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Vernon, Claire, Eugene and Leon Sohm;  his sister, Bonnie Barkmeier; his three wives: Rosemary, Pat and Delores; and his infant daughter, Phyllis Ann Sohm in 1954.

Duane is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, stepchildren and many dear friends.

 

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