Brent William Skramstad
Brent William Skramstad, 51, died Sept. 2, 2009 of bone cancer at his home in Havre surrounded by family and some fellow musicians.
He was born on May 30, 1958 in Libby, the son of Les and Norita Skramstad.
In 1975, at age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He lived aboard the USS Racine for four years traveling all over the world. After his discharge he resumed his musical career playing with his family and many other friends for the next 30 years.
In 1980 he married Loree Cole and they had a daughter, Shayla Ann. They later divorced. He moved to Havre while he attended Northern Montana College and finished at Minot State University.
His main years of employment include Skramstad Logging, Champion International, over-the-road trucking, Havre Sears Store, Halliburton, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and most recently Hill County Road Department while playing with Milk River Band.
Mr. Skramstad was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, helping others and spending time with nieces and nephews. He enjoyed playing the guitar in the family band and with fellow musicians and groupies. He also enjoyed his two dogs, Buddy and Shadow.
While attending college, he met and married Julie Gallagher on Aug. 12, 1989 and they had just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1990 and was stationed in Hawaii, until August 1992 when they moved to Libby and later moved to Havre in 1995.
He was preceded in death by his father, Les Skramstad, and his first wife, Loree.
Survivors include his mother, Norita Skramstad; his wife, Julie Skramstad; his brother, Brady Skramstad and wife Yvonne; sisters, Laurel; Gayla Cody and husband Bob; Sloan Thompson and husband Martin; daughter, Shayla Skramstad; sons, Kyle O’Mier and Lester Skramstad; stepgrandson, Andrew Gallagher; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Services will be Friday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at Libby Christian Church.
Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby handled arrangements.