Ove Larson

Ove Larson, 98, of Troy, passed away of natural causes on April 13, 2015.  Ove was born Aug. 27, 1916, in Chinook to Carl and Anna Larson. The family homesteaded in Chinook where Carl was a blacksmith. Carl moved his family to Libby in 1920. The family attended the Lutheran Church, where Ove was baptized and confirmed. He played center on the 1932 Libby Terriers State Champion Football Team. After graduating from Libby High School in 1935, he studied at Compton Junior College in California for two years.

Returning to Libby, Ove worked a short time at W.R.Grace Zonolite Mine and then at J. Neils Lumber Co. He served in the United States Army during World War II, 1944-45. 

Ove married Florence Marie Coffman on Jan. 1, 1941. He was employed by Montana Power Plant until 1950, when he moved with his family to Troy to work with his father-in-law at Coffman Motors. In 1964, Ove and Florence bought the business and ran it until 1994 when they sold it to their son Daniel Larson. In 1980, they added lumber and building supplies to the business and changed the name to Coffman Motors/Larson Lumber. Ove retired in 1996.

With his business, Ove had the only wrecker/tow truck in Troy and was often called for road accidents. He was an excellent welder and fabricator and would fix or make just about anything needed.

Ove grew up in the woods and was an expert hunter and fisherman. For many years, Ove and Florence owned a Savage Lake lot and enjoyed many relaxing days there with friends. He was very civic minded and at times was called to help with search and rescue operations. Although running the business was a full-time operation, he found time for school and social activities, including square dancing. 

After moving to Troy, Ove joined the Troy Methodist Church where he served as officer and board member. He served two terms on Troy City Council, PTA president, Toastmaster’s president, Elk’s Lodge, Moose Lodge, Charter Member American Legion, Troy Lion’s Club, Troy Business and Professional Men’s Club, Cabinet View Golf Association ember and participated in the Montana Senior Golf Association. Ove served on the Troy Fire Department for 30 years and was assistant fire chief for four years. Ove and Florence reigned as 1999 Senior Citizens of the Year. Ove and Florence were committee members of the Sewer System Planning Board. They were also members of the Medical Arts Building Fund Raising Group working to make the Medical Complex a reality for Troy. 

Preceding him in death is his wife of 73 years, Florence, sons Dan and Herb, and an infant daughter.

Survivors include daughter Barbara and son-in-law Frank Bain of Salem, Ore.; daughters-in-law Bonnie Larson of Troy and Kay Larson of Missoula; sister Magna Knaggs of Spokane, Wash.; grandchildren, Laurie and Drew Caesar, Marcia and Mark Zoroogian-Larson, Mark and Karen Bain, Matthew and Lea Bain, Sarah and Scott Schindele and nine great-grandchildren.

Services for Ove will be 2 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2015, at the Troy United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.schnackenbergfh.com.