Oscar Eriandson

Oscar Leonard Erlandson, Jr., died on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at his home in Libby. He was born in Lewistown,  March 25, 1933, to Mary Helen and Oscar Leonard Erlandson, Sr. His sister called him Buddy, as he was the baby of the family. A fact for you children to know is that Dr. Atax who delivered Bud named him because his father wasn’t in from the ranch in time to do so.

Bud grew up in Ronan on what they called a rock and stump farm. He was an athlete in basketball, football and track. He placed third in the high hurdles in the 1952 state track meet. Bud graduated from Ronan High School in 1952, and was drafted in the Korean conflict right after graduation. He served 4 years in the United States Air Force in Japan and he was an Airborne Radioman for many missions to bring wounded out of Korea on a C-47.

In October 1957, he married Carlene May McDonald in Lewistown. They lived in Libby and he worked for J. Neils Lumber Co., St. Regis Paper Company and Champion International, all at the same place, for a total of 43 years. He was a mechanic in the maintenance shop for most of that time. Before going to the shop he worked in the planer and drove carrier.

Bud was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, serving as president and vice-president, trustee and many other services for his Lord. He was known as the volunteer that served the longest on the Kootenai Valley Credit Union Loan board, a total of 32 years, two meetings a week. He served as scout cub master of pack 71 when his sons were in scouts. Bud was also president of The Sons of Norway, of which he was a charter member and made lefsa and vikings on a stick every year for Nordicfest.  He was the King of Nordicfest in 2003. He also volunteered at the Heritage Museum.

Oscar was a faithful loving husband and father. One of his aims in life was to lift the spirits of every woman in Libby with his line, “you are vision of loveliness,” to everyone he met.

Bud built our first motorhome from a school bus and his family enjoyed our many outings to the lake to fish and camp out. He enjoyed hunting with his son Joel and his friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Helen Erlandson and both of his sisters, Deloris and Alice.

Survivors include his wife Carlene; four children, Kathleen Erlandson Parrett (William), Joel Leonard Erlandson (Anna), Dolly Rae Erlandson and Clifford J. Erlandson and six grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, July 13, 2015, at Christ Lutheran Church in Libby.  Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.  Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.