Rosalie Sophie Massar

Rosalie Sophie Grindvold Massar, 99

Rosalie Sophie Grindvold Massar was born September 15, 1925, in Hartington, Nebraska, to Julius and Marie (Gothier) Grindvold. She passed away peacefully in the early morning of December 10, 2024, at Home Park Assisted Living in Sheridan, Montana.

In early March of 1929, when Rosalie was not quite four years old, Julius sold the Nebraska farm and moved his wife, six daughters and one son to Circle, Montana. They loaded their possessions and traveled in a "house" that Grandpa designed on a Dodge truck, possibly the grand-daddy of the modern day camper. On April Fool's Day, 1929, they moved to their new home about sixteen miles northwest of Circle. The house camper was unloaded from the truck and this was their first home in Montana.

Rosalie attended a country grade school, then Circle High School, living at the school dormitory and graduating in 1943. She met the love of her life, Fred Massar, also attending school at Circle High, until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942. They were married on November 11, 1945, in Tacoma, WA. Fred was honorably discharged from the Navy on December 23, 1945, and the couple spent Christmas Day of that year on a train headed to eastern Montana, where they ranched for their fathers until buying their own cattle ranch in 1956.

They began their family in 1947; sons Monte and Ross, daughters Roselle and Kali.

Mom was an elegant ranch wife, yet helped Dad as needed. She was also very involved in the VFW Auxiliary, McCone County Cowbelles (later known as CattleWomen) and Lutheran church organizations. In 1967, the eastern Montana ranch was sold and the family moved to a ranch on Mill Creek, east of Sheridan, Montana. Mom had an adjustment period to living in the mountains as she had always lived on the prairie, but she grew to love the mountains.

She and Dad were part-founders of the Tobacco Root Ranch in Sheridan, where she cooked for the many guests, sometimes rode and helped conduct overnight pack trips, and made life-long friendships. In 1989, the Massar's moved to Lakeside, Montana, and would winter in Gold Canyon, Arizona, also making many new friends wherever they landed.

Fred passed away in 2001. Rosalie still lived in Lakeside, having made many new friends and being involved in the Eidsvold Lutheran Church. She moved to Dillon, Mt, in 2012, where she resided until July 2022, when she moved to Home Park in Sheridan. Her family is so grateful for the care she received and friendships made at Home Park.

Rosalie is survived by her son, Ross (Sheila) of Twin Bridges; daughters, Roselle (Dean) Hanson, Whitehall; and Kali (Steve) Stender, Sheridan; daughter-in-law, Leila, Sidney, Mt; ten grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, five sisters, brother, son, Monte, and daughter-in-law, Phyllis.

A celebration of life will be held December 27, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Bethel United Methodist Church in Sheridan, Montana, followed by a light lunch and a time for sharing memories. A family burial service will be held at a future date in Circle, Montana.

Memorials may be made to Home Park Assisted Living, Box 899, Sheridan, MT, or to a charity of donor's choice.