Walter Lame

Born during a blizzard in Belt, Montana. Walter Clarence Lame was officially assigned the birthdate of December 18, 1937. Although, family lore has always questioned the exactness of that date. In 1939 he moved with his family, parents Everett and Adellia (Hildebrand) Lame to a farm outside of Augusta, Montana and with the exceptions of serving in the Navy and working on a dairy farm in Fairfield, that farm was where he called home for the next 85 years.

Walter attended school in Augusta and joined the track team without his mother's permission. It was only when the local paper published the names of the athletes heading to state that she found out. With the coach's convincing, Walter was able to participate in the state track meet in Missoula. Although he didn't place, he had fond memories of his first trip to "the other side of the mountains."

Walter enlisted in the Navy at 17 and after basic training was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. It was on the beach in Panama City that he met Annie Cairney on a blind date, it was such a blind date, that she spent a fair amount of time thinking his name was Pinto Pete, as that was his Navy nickname! On July 19, 1958 they eloped to Thomasville, Georgia and were married. After his service concluded, he brought Annie, a city girl from Glasgow, Scotland, back to the family farm. The trip from Florida to Montana became tricky when their car broke down in Childress, Texas (he said they were almost arrested for vagrancy) and had to call Walt's parents for bus ticket money, and they finished their journey on the Greyhound.

Walter often said that he did three things right in his life; he joined the navy, married Annie, and had four daughters, though he would jokingly admit that only the first two were really choices. Besides raising those four daughters, Walter and Annie worked on many ventures together. Dad worked in the smelter in Great Falls. He also worked at Augusta Schools as a custodian and bus driver. With Annie, they ran the family farm, sold plants out of their greenhouse, and owned Mel's Diner in Augusta. Mel's Diner was a hopping place in the 90s and if you didn't eat there, you likely pulled a shift making milkshakes and scooping ice cream! Walter and Annie were married for 55 years at the time of her death in 2013.

Dad loved to fish and care for his yard. He did a Sudoku every day. In his later years he kept busy with woodworking and built log beds, Adirondack chairs, and trunks. He loved a good prank, taking long drives in the mountains, and spending time with his family. He loved watching Westerns and sports and telling stories of his childhood many of which included hijinks with his nephew, Dick Cosgriffe, who was like a younger brother to him.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife Annie Patterson Cairney Lame his parents Everett and Adellia (Hildebrand) Lame as well as his siblings Everett Lame, Floyd Lame, Vera Mathison, and Julia Neckstad. Two sisters, Almira Adellia and Rose Mildred, died in childhood before Walter was born. Last but not least, his loyal cat Sadie who died a few years ago.

Walter is survived by daughters Debbie (Bill) Sporich, Tammy (Frank) Dellwo, Cindy (Nick) Gonzalez, and Lisa (Marty) Quinn and his grandchildren Beau (Melissa) Dellwo, Shayna Dellwo, Derek (Hannah) Dellwo, Nicole Gonzalez, Walter Gonzalez, Kade Quinn, and Kellan Quinn. He also had four beautiful great grandchildren Silas, Marvin, Abigail, and Oliver and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, he leaves behind his cat, whose name is Buffy but dad called her "Cat".

A graveside service will take place at the Augusta Cemetery on Saturday, August 17 at 1pm. A celebration of life will be held at the Lame/Dellwo residence immediately following the graveside service. All are welcome, please bring chairs.

Condolences to the family may be shared at www.frontierfuneralhome.com