Lloyd Earl Wolery

Lloyd Earl Wolery, youngest son of homesteaders Guy and Blanche (Wilson) Wolery, died Sept. 20, 2017.

Lloyd was born Oct. 23, 1931, in Deer Park, Washington. The family moved back to the north Joplin homestead in 1932. Lloyd's elementary school years were spent at Grassy Butte and Minneota rural schools. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1949. As a farm kid, Lloyd learned about machinery, weather, crops, critters, hard work, and just getting by as did every other farm kid of his generation.

He took the jump into marriage in 1956 - he often joked that they spent the week of Oct. 23 to 26 in one big party - two birthdays and an anniversary.

Lloyd took over the farm from his Dad in 1957 - putting in crops and running cattle. Always interested in new things, he and brother, Wayne, went to AI school in Utah and began artificially inseminating cattle-a first for our area. Lloyd served as unofficial veterinarian for the north country and he also had the first big round baler in our area. Lloyd enjoyed working with horses and riding for fun.

Lloyd and his wife, Fern, raised four kids on the farm and several of the "hired men" were just like his own.

Lloyd served with Hill County EMS as first responder, teacher and CPR instructor, activity bus driver for JI schools, Immanuel Church Council, Hill County Commission, Montana Simmental Board (sale chairman, board member, president), Joplin Park Board and chief cook for the Pitchfork Fondue outfit. He was a member of New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Rudyard and Immanuel Lutheran in North Joplin.

After their big move to town, he kept busy with the park, the snow shovel and the lawn mower. During those years, Lloyd and Fern enjoyed many condo exchanges in many different states with friends and neighbors, Jerry and Mary Lois Hybner.

A tussle with a chunk of concrete and its after-effects changed Lloyd's life completely. He spent the last several years close to home but still enjoyed visits from family and friends. He loved his family, friends, and his Lord Jesus.

Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Royal (Mary), Olyn (Bernece), Wayne (Betty), and Elvyn (Eileen); sister, Opal (Norris) Harrison; well-loved nephews, Leroy, Sterling, and Donald; and almost brothers, Vern (Loreene) Pimley and Bob Connor.

He is survived by his wife, Fern; sons, Dan (Debbie) of Chester, Bryon (Jana) of Inverness; daughters, Sandra (Wayne) Johnson of Kalispell, Kathleen (Jeff) Pimley of Colstrip, and brother-in-law, Ray (Alice) Sterling of Eureka. He leaves behind 12 grandkids and six grea-grands. Lloyd is also survived by sons and daughters of the heart, Dale and Jim Davy, Clyde Richter, Russ Pimley, Tom, Carol, and Linda Bangs, Josh Lincoln, numerous nieces and nephews and several young folks he considered "grandkids."

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. at the Joplin Community Hall. A "Pitchfork Fondue" will follow service.

Condolences can be made to Lloyd's memorial page at http://www.asperfh.com.