Thomas Martin Ask

Thomas Martin Ask was born July 19, 1925, in Forsyth, Montana and died July 18, 2015 in Polson, just short of his 90th birthday. He was raised on a ranch in eastern Montana, and from a very early age, helped his father with cattle and farm chores.

After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the army and was sent to, what was known in World War II as the Asian Theater of War. As the war ended, he was stationed in Japan for two years returning to civilian life with the rank of Master Sergeant (at age19!).

Tom then enrolled at the University of Montana, earned an undergraduate degree in Business and graduated from Law School in 1953. Tom began his law practice in Roundup, Montana and continued it there for forty years. He married Margaret Dean (Peg) and together they had four children who were his greatest joy.

In his professional life he considered his finest achievement to be his contribution as a member of the Constitutional Convention. His service as a member of its committee on local government will affect the state of Montana for years to come. His time in Roundup included twelve years as county attorney and several as assistant county attorney, followed by years as a defense attorney. (He often found himself defending some of the same people he once prosecuted.)

He loved the game of golf and was instrumental in changing Roundup's old sand greens into a very nice nine hole, grass greens course. His other hobby was fishing, and his once a year trip to Canada or Alaska with several friends was a special time for him.

When it was time to retire, Tom and Peg moved to Polson, Montana, to a home on Flathead Lake where Tom enjoyed years of golfing and fishing. It was a place where he invited friends and family and especially grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, two nephews, and a grand nephew.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, four children, Catherine Hasskamp (Charles), Thomas Dean Ask (Peggy), Richard Brearley Ask (Tanya), Carolyn Rohrer (Steven), ten grandchildren, Rebecca Thompson (Evan), Josh Hasskamp (Jenna), Adam Hasskamp, Kim Leiser (Jake), Kate Moffet (Ryan),

James Ask (Mary Jane), Ben Ask (Aimee), Signe Ask (Dana Driggs), Megan Rohrer, Molly Rohrer, and ten great grandchildren, Mason and Tanner Leiser, Ali and Regan Moffet, Betsy and James Ask, Caleb and Liam Ask, Brearley and Torstein Driggs.

Funeral services for Tom will be private by the family and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Memorials may be sent to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 110 6th Avenue East, Polson, MT 59860; Partners in Home Care Hospice, #1 14th Avenue West, Polson, MT 59860 or American Cancer.org.

Read Thomas Ask's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.