Obituary - Noel Ross Davidson

Noel Ross Davidson, 96, of Havre passed away at Northern Montana Care Center on Saturday, June 27, 2015.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 3, 2015, at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church with Pastor Dolly Collins officiating. Interment of Noel and Viola will be in Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery at a later date.

Noel's family has requested that memorials be made in his name to Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, 410 5th Street, Havre, MT 59501, or the North Central Shrine Club, PO Box 607, Havre, MT 59501.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Noel's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Noel was born Nov. 28, 1918, in Eldon, Missouri, to Grant and Florence (Fogleman) Davidson. At age 13, he was the first person in the United States to receive reconstructive surgery on cartilage. This was for his right ear. Noel graduated from Valley Center High School and later attended Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, for a year, where he majored in music and drama.

Noel met and later married Viola Simon of Hingham, Montana, on Nov. 3, 1941, in Wibaux, Montana, where Viola said "I DO," and Noel mentioned at the time of her death, that she did. They made their home in Havre, Montana, at first. To this union four children were born, Millie, Noel Q., Marie and Joe. As Noel was known to say, "Momma and I are very proud of our Kid Crop."

Noel served his county during World War II in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1945.

Although Noel and Viola moved around the country in their early married life, their hearts remained in Havre. They lived in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Canada, and ended up for a time in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where Noel worked for a period in heavy equipment maintenance. They returned to Havre in the winter of 1947 at 25 degrees below zero with a rocking chair, a mirror and a cedar chest.

Noel and Viola were very active members of the Havre community. Noel was instrumental in the development of the Highland Park subdivision area of town, building homes, rebuilding and remodeling along the way. He established Davidson Realty, Havre Rental, Pizza Hut and Tidy Car Detailing Service.

Both Noel and Viola were active members of Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. Noel was a life member of the VFW Post 497, the Masonic Lodge, beginning in 1962, and the Shriners, through which he sponsored several children to the Shriners Childrens Hospital over the years. Noel, in his infinite wisdom, selected the site for the Senior Center close to Eagles Manor, and saved extra lots in Highland Park so that Highland Park School could expand in later years. He also worked to beautify Havre by starting "Tidy Town," cleaning up distressed property, and he and Viola planted many trees in Havre over the years.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Florence Davidson; his nine brothers and sisters; his loving wife, Viola, of over 69 years; his daughter, Millie Sgrignoli; and his son-in-law, Bill Schoenfeldt.

He is survived by his children, Noel Q. (Pam) Davidson of Big Sandy, Marie Schoenfeldt of Spokane, and Joseph (Beth) Davidson of Havre; his son-in-law, John Sgrignoli of Miles City; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.