Donald LaRose

Donald William LaRose, age 75, of Miles City passed away peacefully on Monday, September 5, 2011 at the Veterans Community Living Center in Miles City with his daughters at his side.

Don was born on March 17, 1936 in Whitehall, New York, the youngest son of Clifford LaRose and Gladys (Manell) Juckett. He joined the National Guard of New York on March 17, 1953 and later transferred to the Air Force on August 17, 1956 and was honorably discharged on July 12, 1962 from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Don was a member of the 105th Infantry, Tank Company and 71st Army & Electrical Maintenance Squadron SAC. Don fell in love with South Dakota´s fishing, hunting, camping and the stock car races at Black Hills Speedway. He made his home there for many years. He worked for Jack´s Camera Shop in Rapid City and was the only Camera Repairman in a five state area. On March 19, 1966 he married Rose Marie Brewer in Rapid City, South Dakota. From this union they had three daughters, Carol, Cheryl and Rose (Pixie). Later in life he also had another daughter Alyssa Hardy. In 1976, after making a career change, he moved the family to Reeder, North Dakota then to Bowman, North Dakota. He worked for Wagner Brothers Construction and Peter´s Construction as a heavy equipment operator on the road crew. Then due to an illness, the LaRose family moved to Miles City, Montana to be closer to the Veteran Administration Clinic. He worked for Eastern Montana Industries and Pine Hills School until his retirement.

Don loved fishing, hunting and being outdoors so much that he taught his girls to be great outdoor lovers. He also enjoyed NASCAR. He raced at the Black Hills Speedway in South Dakota. Don was a lifetime member of the North American Fishing Club.

Don is survived by his wife Rose Marie LaRose of Las Vegas, NV; his daughters: Carol (Warren) Schuetzle of Miles City, MT; Cheryl (Rick) Maher of Rapid City, SD; Rose "Pixie" (Mitch) Frieling of Gillette, WY; and Alyssa Hardy of Billings, MT; fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, John Glendon LaRose and a sister, Doris "Sis" Belden both of Whitehall, NY; he is also survived by his Good Ole Fishing Buddies "he left to clean all those fish": Ed Gergen of Miles City, Joe Thompson of Rapid City, and Jim Geyerman of Arizona; and his second family, the residents and staff of the VA Community Living Center.

Family will receive friends on Friday, September 9, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City followed by a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veteran´s Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

In lieu of flowers, Don´s family request that memorials be given to the Veteran´s Administration Community Living Center Activity Fund or to the Walleyes Unlimited Chapter of Miles City.