Robert Loran

Robert Patrick Loran went to heaven on November 24th, 2023. Bob was born in Missoula on August 9th, 1938 to Sebastian "Lefty" and Elizabeth Loran. He grew up on the north side of Missoula with many nearby relatives. He was the oldest child of a large Catholic family with 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Bob started selling papers on Missoula street corners at the young age of 5 and gave the proceeds to his mother, always working for the "the house." He walked his siblings to St. Francis grade school and continued to do so while attending Loyola Sacred Heart High School next door. On July 6th of 1963 he married Helen Christensen, a ranch girl from Philipsburg, MT. Together they raised 5 children and were married for 56 years until Helen's passing in 2019.

Bob was a true Montanan, avid hunter of big game, and a member of the Montana National Guard. He tied his own flies to fish on the Blackfoot River with his dog Chow. He loved to take his family camping, which was tent style in the early years. After a few bear adventures, he bought a truck camper to accommodate the family of 7 on their vacations. One of his favorite things to do was attending all his children's sporting and school events. He liked to take the family out to the woods in the summer to gather firewood. Bob loved dogs, and the family always had at least one around. Helen loved cats, not Bob's favorite, but he tolerated them for her and their daughter Mary. Bob was known for his knowledge of gardening; he was among the earliest members of the famous Missoula Farmers Market and the first to sell gladiolus flowers, which were an instant hit.

Bob worked for Champion International (formerly Intermountain Lumber) in Missoula from 1961 until its closing in 1990. He worked for the Bonner Mill until it closed as well in 1993. Bob, Helen, and their youngest daughter Kristi then moved to Walla Walla, WA when he took a job with Strauser Manufacturing where he worked until his retirement. Bob was a highly skilled molder setup man and developed many different products in the lumber industry. Even in his retirement he remained busy, earning an associate's degree at WWCC in auto body as well as working at the local grocery store as a produce expert.

Bob is survived by his children - Robert (Denise) Loran, Mary (Rory) Indreland, David Loran, Rebecca Howard, and Kristi (Darcy) Wiebe; his grandchildren - Ely (Libby), Owen, & Abby Indreland, Aleah Loran, Kyle (Katt) Loran, Shaman Diagne, KJ & Kennedy Howard, Yazzy, Mia, & Kaiyu Philavanh, and Addy & Emma Wiebe; his great grandchildren - Ava & Ellianna Loran and RayLynn Indreland. "Bobby" is also survived by siblings - Johnny (Chiko) Loran, Joe Loran, Patricia Loran, Liz Van Nice, and many nieces & nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen, his parents and his siblings - Helen Mary Loran, Mary Kathleen McCarvel, Patrick Loran, and James Loran.

Bob will be remembered by his family as a selfless person. He took pride in providing for all of his immediate and extended families, putting their needs before his own. He was a very hard, determined worker and once said ,"If you are being paid $7 an hour, give them $10 an hour in work." He was a devout Catholic who attended mass every week along with all holy days of obligation. Bob always left things better than he found them, including the world he has departed.

A rosary service will be held Friday, December 8th at 6pm, and a funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 9th at 11am, both at St. Anthony's Church. A luncheon will follow mass at Garden City Funeral Home. The celebration of Bob's life will conclude with inurnment at St. Mary's Cemetery. A memorial mass in Walla Walla will also be held, date TBD.