Henry H. Normandeau

Henry H. Normandeau passed away on Sept. 29 at home with his family by his side. He was born March 6, 1929 to Patrick Francis and Mary Irene Dubay Normandeau in Ronan; he grew up on the family farm in Ronan and graduated from Ronan High School in 1947. He attended MSU in Bozeman before returning to Ronan to help with the family farm. He married Susanna Klossner of Switzerland on May 14, 1960; they and their four children farmed the Spring Creek Ranch until 1980. He fulfilled his desire for continuing his education by taking classes at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo. In April 1991 Henry was hired at the Natural Resource Department for Wildlife for a Wildlife Project. In May Henry was granted a leave of absence to complete work with the University of Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. He then returned to the Wildlife Department as Wildlife Technician as a seasonal employee until he retired in 2006. He truly enjoyed the relationships he had with his coworkers; they have remained good, loyal friends with his family. Henry was also a respected member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. He was an integral part of the reintroduction of swans to the Mission Valley. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He had a love of reading and learning. A private licensed pilot, he loved to fly. Another of his joys was music, playing the violin and accompanying Susanna at piano. He is survived by his wife Susanna of 52 years, sons Paul and Tom; daughters Mary (Jim) and Nancy (Ben); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Rupert, James, Louie and Harold and sisters Berta, Ione and Rose. He will be greatly missed. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan with Reverend Rand Drollman officiating.