John Sage Jr.

John Sago Jr. of Polson, Montana went to his home above on Thursday September 24th. He had been residing at Evergreen Care Facility in Polson for the previous 17 months, though in his heart he remained with his beloved wife Louise at his home overlooking Melita Island and Flathead Lake. John was born June 29th, 1926, to John Albert and Minnie Etta Sago in Big Timber, Montana. They lived on Sunny Slope Ranch where he grew up with farming and ranching in his blood. He attended Sweetgrass High School in Big Timber, after primary school at a small country schoolhouse. He moved with his family to Billings, Montana in 1943 and attended Billings Business College. John entered military service in 1945 with the US Navy and was stationed in Pearl Harbor. He served as chauffeur for Admiral 'Bull' Halsey. At the end of the war, he was honorably discharged and returned to Billings. John became involved in a church planting effort in the Lockwood Flats area of Billings, and he led the early meetings in addition to superintending the Sunday school. As the church became established, he went to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to attend Hillcrest Christian College. He again returned to Billings and married Marjorie Anne Benner in 1951. Marjorie died in an auto accident in 1969, while their children and they were living in Huntley, east of Billings. In 1970, he married Louise Anna Pensis and moved back to Billings once again. Louise and he owned and operated A-1 Rentals on Grand Avenue. In 1988, they sold the business, and eventually retired to Polson, MT and built a large house so all the family could visit. His last project, before leaving Billings for the final time, was to organize and direct the building of a new facility for the church he had helped to found decades before. Living in Polson, Louise and he traveled the nation and the world, including trips to Russia and China. John was a masterful house builder, a skill he learned from his father. His sons and he built four homes for the family. One of his greatest joys was to use his equipment and his knowledge to help others. He was unstinting in his generosity and kindness. Though he had little time to pursue the pastime early in his life, after moving to Polson he greatly enjoyed fishing for lake trout with his friends. John and Louise have been active members of the Gideons International Bible organization for over 35 years, and participated in all aspects of the ministry. He was a member of the Lakeview Baptist Church in Polson, and led the singing there for many years. He is survived by his wife Louise, his sister Joyce Appleman (Don) of Oklahoma, children Virginia Bolstad, Billings: Virginia Hooper (Ralph), Abbotsford BC, Canada: Martin Sago (Nan), Polson: Andrew Sago (Joyce), Billings: John James Sago, Sturgis SD: Annetta Spurlock (Marty), Spearfish SD: Thomas Sago (Naureen), Columbia Falls: 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2009 from 9 AM until 5 PM at the Grogan Funeral Home, Polson. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009, 2:00 PM at Lakeview Baptist Church, Polson with Pastor Kevin Rettig officiating. Memorials may be made to The Gideons International at PO BOX 205 Polson, MT 59860 and there will also be a table at the memorial service. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.
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