Wayne Sollie

WAYNE LEWIS SOLLIE, 91, passed away after a brief illness at St. Vincent Hospital in Billings on Monday, May 26, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was born February 28, 1917, in South Dakota to Lewis and Etta Sollie and moved to Montana in 1937. He retired from Peavey Co. where he operated grain elevators in Broadview, Laurel and Glendive. He married Barbara King in 1981, and they spent most of their years together in Three Forks. His impressive garden and regular cross-country visits to his family and friends reflected his love of nature and his enthusiasm for life. He belonged to the Masons, Kiwanis Club and the Elk#8217;s while living in Laurel, and was a proud member of the Eagle#8217;s Lodge for 35 years Some of his happiest memories were of times spent camping, fishing, hunting and boating. In retirement he worked several summers as the camp host at Red Cliff Campground near Big Sky where he made friends from all over the world. Known and admired for being forever young at heart, Wayne looked forward to dressing up in his Irish outfit and celebrating in Butte every St. Patrick#8217;s Day. Once his eyesight became bad he could be seen driving around Three Forks on his scooter. He was a consummate #8220;fixer#8221; and collected antiques and relics which he could always seem to repair or restore. There was no handyman job he wouldn#8217;t tackle. Even after losing his sight, he was unstoppable. His motto was #8220;Just keep moving.#8221; He remained active and positive to his last day, believing he would survive even this latest illness. He left us many gifts #8211; most importantly his example of never speaking badly of anyone and of loving unconditionally. We are blessed that he lived 91 years and left us with such beautiful memories. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Glenn Sollie. He is survived by his wife Barbara and four daughters, Patti Gaines of Las Cruces, NM, Karen Ayotte of Farr West, UT, Janet Stuffmann and Loretta Kiser of Fort Worth, TX; two nieces: Jeannie Nofsinger of VA and Elaine Sollie-Herman of Helena; and four step-children: Doug Fewkes, Blaine Fewkes, Tawna Petersen and Tammy War. His seven grandchildren include Mike Feuerbacher of TX, Kristen Howard of AZ, Tracy Parker of ID, Kara Scott of UT, Amy Ingwaldson of Bozeman, Kelly Fortune of Helena, and Molly McDonald of CA. He has 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held Friday, May 30th at 1:00 p.m. at The Bozeman Stake Center, 2915 Colter Ave.