– A life spanning 90 1/2 years. Norman passed quietly into the arms of his higher power on Saturday, May 17, 2014.
Norman Gilbert Grovdale arrived on Aug. 20, 1923, in Missoula to Elmer and Ella Brown Grovdale. He was the third child of the couple, joining sisters, Georgia (1918) and Camilla (1920). He was delivered by Dr. Flynn, a local obstetrician in a rented home on Blaine Street, rather than being born on Fish Creek.
He was named by his grandmother, Gertrude Steinbreuck Brown Wendover, an early 20th century resident of Fish Creek, who liked the name "Norman." Norman's middle name, Gilbert, was that of his step-grandfather, Bert Wendover, a trapper. Wendover's name remains along the Lochsa River in Idaho, an area Norman enjoyed throughout his life.
When he was about 3 weeks old, Norman traveled by horseback from Lolo Hot Springs to the Grovdale homestead on Fish Creek with his father, mother and sisters. Norman's life with horses began early and continued well past his 82nd birthday. His last ride of over 35 miles took him into the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness, a place he frequented as often as he could.
Norman was educated on Fish Creek in a one-room school, which was built by his father and his uncle. For the first few grades, his teachers included Miss Faye Healy and later Miss Mogus. The teachers lived with the Grovdales. The kids walked home to lunch and back to school for afternoon classes. Norman recalls that everyone got along in just one room. As a young boy, he filled his wagon with split tamarack every morning and took it to the school for the heating stove. He grew up doing a variety of chores involving the family's cows and horses.
Norman's interest in mining began at an early age with stories of his grandfather, Charles Henry Brown, and his explorations in Montana and Alaska.
Norman finished his elementary education at Alberton. His high school years were spent in Wallace, Idaho, where family members worked in the area silver mines. Norman's work history included working for a produce store before and after school in Wallace, and working summers on the White Mountain Lookout in the 1940s reporting lightning-caused fires with an Osburn Firefinder.
He graduated from Wallace High School in 1943, and volunteered for military service with the U.S. Marine Corps shortly after graduation.
His military training included seven weeks of basic training in San Diego and tank training at a tent camp called Jack's Farm. Each tank had two Cadillac engines for power, and could travel about 30 mph. The training maneuvers involved 12 tanks in a row and training maneuvers went from the camp to the Mexican border. His instructor measured combat readiness of the recruits by shooting between their feet. If you moved, you weren't ready for combat. If you stood your ground and were focused ... you were ready.
Norman served on the Midway Islands in 1943 and other Pacific Islands. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the honorable service and honorable discharge buttons, and the Marine Corps Expert Rifle Badge. After the war ended, Norman served a short time as a guard at Farragut Naval Training north of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Norman believed that handling guns was kind of a natural talent. "Some men never handle them well, even if their lives depend on it." He had considered staying in the Marine Corps, but his father's ill health brought him back to his family in Montana.
After World War II, he married Jean Purcell of Dixon. They later divorced. He never remarried.
He joined his father in the Grovdale Logging Co., and drove many loads of logs out of Spring Gulch and Granite Creek.
While hauling logs for Grovdale Logging Co., Norman became familiar with the White Pine Sash Co. in Missoula. He got a part-time job at the White Pine loading boxcars. He also bought replacement parts around Missoula the various pieces of equipment at the White Pine. Norman's full-time employment at the White Pine opened up in 1956 when a boilerman retired. Norman worked the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift.
After retiring from White Pine Sash, Norman continued selling insurance for Farmers Insurance Group, which he did for 20 years.
Norman loved his horses, the Marines, mining, and his Masonic work. He was a past grand master of Harmony Lodge No. 49 A.M. and F.M., and a 32nd-degree Mason. He respected the early Masonic efforts of the first Masonic Lodge of Montana at Bannack, and has been a Knight of the Double Eagle. He was a Mason for 58 years, and supported children's speech therapy and the Shriner's Hospital in Spokane. He was a member of Algeria Shrine and the Royal Arch Masons.
Norman carried a full historic view of the changing faces of Fish Creek, from early settlement, horses to motorized vehicles, logging, mining, and recreational activities. His family ties to the land remain with the family. He was predeceased by his parents and both sisters. He shared his love with cousins, many nieces and nephews, and extended family in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Florida and Norway.
He is survived by Pamela Diamond and son Tye Diamond of Lolo; Ella Patricia (Danny) Valladao of Lolo and daughters Renee Crowder and Christy Oliver; Jacqueline Ahearn of Alberton; Charlotte Morris of Missoula and twins Charlie Morris and Hattie Mantei; Kenneth (Barbara) Ahearn of Missoula and daughters Tomi Rae Ahearn and Sadie Joe Ahearn; Betsy (Dave) Cunneen of Coco Beach, Florida. And his uncle Mansley Brown's family, Lew and Kim Brown of Post Falls, Idaho, Kerry, Tom, Graylon, Teegen, Kaelic Gould of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, and Katelynn Brown, Marty Lopes and Alberta Brown-Lopes of Vancouver, Washington
Read Norman Grovdale's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.
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