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WARD COMPTON, Obituary

Ward Henry Compton, 90, retired rancher and bar owner, died Saturday, May 25, 2002, at a Chinook nursing home of natural causes.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at the First Lutheran Church with Pastor Brad Ulgenes officiating. Burial to follow service at the Highland Cemetery. Fellowship to follow burial at the Vets Club in Havre.

Ward was born June 10, 1911, to Henry and Leafy (Emerson) Compton at the homestead house of his parents in Eyebrow, Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the oldest of three children. When he turned 5 years old, his family moved across the border to north of Malta. He was educated in country schools in that area and graduated from Malta High School. He attended Northern Montana College.

On June 5, 1940, Ward married Edna Ramberg in Malta. To this union four children were born. Edna preceded him in death. Ward ranched north of Malta. He had a bar in Manhattan. He then opened a grocery store in Hungry Horse. He moved his family back to Malta at which point he returned to his original ranch, adding to it. In 1959, he purchased the Palace Bar in Havre, which he owned until his son "Jupe" purchased it. He was involved in the Palace Bar in Fort Benton. In 1990, Ward retired and returned to Havre. In late fall, Ward moved to the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home in Chinook.

Ward had an unforgettable sense of wit and humor. He will be greatly missed by friends and family throughout the Hi-Line.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Leafy (Emerson) Compton; wife, Edna (Ramberg) Compton on Oct. 7, 1997; sister, Fern Mangis.

Survivors include his brother, Duane (LaVonne) Compton of Malta; sons, Clark (Kay) Compton of Eugene, Ore., Jupe (Lora) Compton of Havre, Grant (Diane) Compton of Kalispell; daughter, Fern (Russell) Puls of Eugene, Ore.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials in Ward's honor may be made to Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, Highway 2 West, Chinook, MT 59523 or to a person's choice.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Holland and Bonine Funeral Home.

 

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