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Walter Medford Romo

Walter Melford Romo, 102, a retired farmer, passed away May 16, 2014, at the Country Home.

He was born on the family farm at Lakeside, Mont., between Bainville and Snowden, on Nov. 26, 1911, to Oscar and Sadie (Algren) Romo. He spent his early years making a mark in eastern Montana. He worked in construction building the highway between Sidney and Glendive. During the construction of Fort Peck Dam, he and his brother, Lester, moved a "chicken coop" to New Deal to work construction.

On Sept. 9, 1936, he married Julia Roessner of Saco/Bowdoin in Malta. He spent a few years working for the Great Northern Railroad as a "pumper," filling steam engines. He moved many times with his young family, known as "bumping", as a way to keep the job, until his oldest daughter started school. He then started water well drilling in partnership with Lester. They drilled many, many of the wells in eastern Montana and western North Dakota.

In 1951 he and his wife moved to Saco to Julia's family homestead, continuing 55 more years of the rest of their lives together. They purchased four small homesteads to add to their Romo farm. In later years, they worked in what started out as Julia's hobby – "Flower Fantasies." Julia made pictures using pressed flowers, and Walter made the frames using wood from power poles. They attended many craft shows throughout Montana. They worked side by side until Julia's passing on Sept. 25, 2008, at 93. "Not long enough," according to Walter. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Alaska, taking their maid of honor (Alice Bahn, Walter's sister) and other family and friends.

His secret to longevity was hard work and eggs for breakfast every day. Singing was his way of keeping a positive attitude whether he was with friends or going to sleep. He had good genes as his parents celebrated 71 years of marriage, and both lived into their 90s.

Survivors include his children, Julia Belcher of Lolo, Charles Romo and his wife, Shelly, of Glasgow and Eunice Romo of Saco; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were Tuesday, May 20, at Saco Methodist Church. Interment was in the Grandview Cemetery in Saco. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

 

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