Donald William Lake

Donald William Lake, who was 89, joined Jesus and his beloved wife, Bernadine, on February 13, 2025. He was born June 14, 1935, to Acel and Agnes Lake. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family.

His life was exemplified by honesty, integrity, and a deep passion for the land and the crops it produced. He built a business on these principles where a handshake was a contract and his word was his bond.

He grew up on the family farm raising crops and doing custom work for neighboring farmers such as cultivating, threshing, cutting grain, and stacking hay. Don graduated from Ronan High School in 1953, was on the basketball team, and earned his FFA State Farmer Degree.

Don married Bernadine Pelletier in November 1959 and started their family raising six children, Dan, Theresa, Dave, Pat, Ann, and Tim. As the family grew, so did the business. He farmed with his brother LeRoy as the Lake Brothers, growing seed potatoes, grain, hay, and cattle. Don and LeRoy were known for being good stewards of the land, and with God’s blessing, they weathered the challenges and celebrated the good years.

Don could recognize opportunities and adapt to the changing times. He often said “If you take care of the land, it will take care of you”

He also served his community and the industry by being elected to the Ronan School Board, serving on the Montana Potato Improvement Association Board, and serving on the First Interstate Bank Advisory Board, just to name a few. His integrity, insight, and passion for seeking solutions to problems earned him respect among his peers.

Over the years Theresa and Ann married and, with their husbands, built their careers. Dan, Dave, Pat, and Tim continue the farming operation in a partnership named Lake Seed, Inc. Don and Bernie learned to trailer to Arizona for the worst part of the winter, explore the desert, reunite with friends, and enjoy the sunshine in a dune buggy that he built. 

Don took an interest in restoring old tractors and found great joy in getting them running again. He always had a project going and loved sharing himself with others.

Out of all his accomplishments in life, his greatest joy came from his family. He loved every one of his grandchildren and kept up with events in their lives. He would offer encouragement and positive advice, was proud of each of them, and their accomplishments, and often referred to them as “perfect”.

His biggest cheerleader was Bernadine. He loved her and cherished her deeply. He cared for her as long as he could through her decline due to dementia. After her passing in July of 2021 and 62 years of marriage, he was left with a hole in his heart that just couldn’t be filled. She was the “glue” of the family, his best friend, and lifelong partner, she completed him. He adjusted as best as he could through daily devotions, cooking his meals, entertaining friends who stopped by, and watching the activities on the farm, including his beloved corn patch.

During his last few months, when recovery from a broken leg in October was not happening, he met that challenge too with grace, kindness, and peace and so looked forward to joining Bernie in Heaven and being with Jesus.

Don was preceded in death by the love of his life Bernadine, his parents, Acel and Agnes, and sister Laura Osterwyk (Frank).

Don is survived by his brothers LeRoy (Evelyn), Bob (Faithe), and his sister Norma Granley (Gary). His children and grandchildren: Dan (Jan), Beau (Kate), Brianna Peet (Michael), Bridgett Cheff (Buddy), and Brittnee Hovan (Steve); Theresa Pearson (Eric); Dave (Lorrie), Racheal Lake, Rebecca Papke (Bridger), Nichole Krone (Denver), and Seth; Pat (Shannon), Jessamy Hanson (Seth), Joshua, Abby Hicks (Nate), Ace, and Jacob; Ann Lamm (Dwight), Kaitlyn French (Charles), Logan (Janae); Tim (Chanel), Trevor, Christopher, Madison, and Ryan. Also, 23 great-grandchildren.

The family extends a heartfelt appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Immanuel Living Retreat in Kalispell, and Rising Mountains in Bigfork for all the care and compassion they provided to Don.

Funeral services for Don will be held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at the Ronan Cemetery. In place of flowers please consider a donation to: Mission Valley FFA Alumni. 3625 Mud Creek Lane, Ronan, MT 59864 or Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana. 69316 US Highway 93, Charlo, MT 59824.