Grant Donovan Risa

Grant Donovan Risa passed away from natural causes on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the age of 94 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, Mont.

He was born Dec. 17, 1919, to Martin and Thea (Blikken) Risa. He was one of seven children and called Opheim home his entire life. He proudly served in the Army during World War II where he earned the Purple Heart.

On May 20, 1949, he married Patricia Taylor in Rockglen, Saskatchewan. They farmed northeast of Opheim where they raised their sons, Wayne and Billy. In 1973, Wayne was tragically killed in an automobile accident.

He loved horses, was an avid history buff, and enjoyed playing cards and visiting with their friends at Nemont Manor. He also served on the Lutheran Church Board, Elevator Board, and taught Sunday School for many years.

In October 2012, they moved to Nemont Manor but came back to help with seasonal farm chores, including driving truck for last year's harvest. Farm, family and friends were Don's passions.

Survivors include his wife, Pat, of 65 years at Nemont Manor; one son, Billy Risa, and his wife, Jeanette, of Opheim; one sister, Jenny Panks, of Canada; one brother, Theron Risa, and his wife, Dorothy, of Glasgow; a sister-in-law, Pearl Risa, of Billings; step-grandchildren, Chad, Becky, Jaedon, Dylan and Brooklyn Phillipi, of Billings; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services were held Monday, June 30, at 11 a.m., at the Opheim Lutheran Church in Opheim with interment in the Lawndale Cemetery.

Bell Mortuary of Glasgow was in charge of arrangements.