Donald “Don” Plouffe, 85, of Saco, Montana passed away the afternoon of May 26, 2019 in Glasgow, Montana.
Don was born June 13, 1933, in Malta, Montana, to Louis and Mabel (Homeier) Plouffe. He was raised and educated in the East Strater Community and helped on the family farm.
Don was working on a seismograph crew when he met his best friend and lifetime love, Nellie McNamara. Don was united in marriage to Nellie on November 1, 1953; the couple celebrated their 65 th Anniversary last year. To this union they had four sons and one daughter.
Don’s family was important to him, which lead him to take a job as a farm laborer in the Saco area. He worked as a mechanic at the “Old Chevy Garage” prior to opening his own mechanic shop and gas station Don’s Conoco where he could make a motor hum. He then worked at MDU until he retired in 1995. Throughout the years while working full-time and raising his family, Don found time to be a wheat farmer. He took pride in farming his wheat and once was able to sell it for $20 a bushel.
Don had many hobbies which included restoring an old tractor, ice fishing on Nelson Reservoir, traveling and was always good for a game of cribbage. He was a lifetime Minnesota Twins fan getting to watch them play at both the Metrodome and Target Field. It was made even more special when, Trevor Plouffe, his cousin’s grandson played third base. Don had a deep sense of accomplishment for his blue-ribbon winning garden. He was even able to get his seeds in the ground this spring.
Don worked hard his entire life to provide for his family. He taught his kids that work ethic is a choice and one of the most important keys in life. Don took pride (and his children are grateful) that he had instilled those values.
Don is survived by his wife, Nellie; his children, Robert (Betty) Plouffe, Donna (Sonny) Anvik, Jason (Monica) Plouffe and Dale Plouffe; sisters, Gail Johannesen, and Judy Messerly; brothers, Gary (Wilma) Plouffe and Ed (Willie) Plouffe; sister-in-law, Jean Plouffe; brother-in-law Gary (Vicki) McNamara; grandchildren, Tracey Plouffe, Melissa Plouffe (Mark Snodgrass), Travis Plouffe, Ashley Anivk (Tyson Swimmley), Caycee (Wyatt) Hermanson, Tyrell (Lacie) Anvik, Levi (Taryn) Plouffe, Randi Plouffe (Trennis Hindle) , Koltan Plouffe (Chad Sutton), Kalyn Plouffe, Karlyle Plouffe (Carley White) and great-grandchldren Olivia, Avery, Emma, Ryker, baby Cru, Tayson, Basil, Esme, Remmi and Bowie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mable Plouffe; son Steve Plouffe; great-grandson Cash Plouffe; siblings Louis Plouffe, Dale Plouffe, his twin Dorothy Ames, Dick Plouffe, Nancy Soennichsen and Grady Plouffe.