Floyd Alton Severson

Floyd Alton Severson, passed away on Monday, Sept 12, 2022, of natural causes. He was 92.

Floyd was born Feb. 20, 1930 to John A. and Aletha Severson in Tagus, ND, and graduated from Towner High School in 1948. He attended the Wahpeton School of Science in North Dakota, to gain an education as a lithographer (printer).

Floyd enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and was proud of his service at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and on theU. S. S. Valley Forge (CVS 45), a helicopter carrier in service during the Korean War. He worked as a printer on the ship, and before the days of computers, was tasked with printing both routine and confidential communications and also developing air photography of a high security nature. He met his future wife, Ann, on a blind date in Washington D.C. and they hit it off, since she was from Montana and he was from North Dakota. He was honorably discharged in 1955.

Floyd married Ann Dygert in Kalispell, MT on Dec. 14, 1953 and they were married for 68 years.

After his Navy service, he worked for different printing companies in Minot, North Dakota, Hungry Horse and Kalispell, and the Missoulian but mostly at Artcraft printers in Missoula. He retired as a printer in 1996. During his time as a printer he served as a treasurer and negotiator for the printer's union.

Floyd and Ann had 2 sons, David in 1958, and Dennis in 1961.

After he retired, he enjoyed fishing, mostly on the Big Blackfoot River, and Rock Creek. He also did home woodworking projects at his home in West Riverside, near Bonner.

When his sons were younger, they took wilderness hikes, went camping, fishing and spent a lot of time in the Montana outdoors. Floyd also served as a color guard honoring service veterans at their funerals as part of the local veterans group, until 2018.

In retirement, Ann and Floyd also enjoyed camping, and traveling all over United States with their RV, but also on guided bus tours.

In 2011, they moved into the Clark Fork Riverside Manor, next to the Clark Fork River, where and enjoyed the views of the river, the birds, animals and beautiful vistas of Missoula.

Floyd worked there as a security guard, locking and checking doors, responding to emergencies, and making many friends in the process. He worked that duty up until 2021 and always enjoyed helping out the residents.

He kept in touch with cousins and relatives all over the country through his genealogical studies, and, before the internet, researched intricate family trees, finding distant relatives from Norway, immigrants who came through Ellis Island and even some who came over on the Mayflower.

Floyd is survived by his wife, Ann; son David (wife Gail Verlanic) with granddaughter Kelsie Severson (husband Boe Clark) who live in Missoula; son Dennis (wife Lee Shaughnessy) of Denver, and grandson Max, in Missouri, (wife Nora), and 4 great-grandchildren, Fox, Azalia, Robin and Lilac; nieces and nephews Susan Moore of Alaska, Shirlee Grosulak, and Dick Severson of North Dakota.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family graveside service will take place at a later date. His ashes will be interred at the Missoula Veteran’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations in Floyd’s memory are suggested to Missoula American Legion Post 27 or the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family is being served by Garden City Funeral Home and Crematory, Missoula.