Walter Melford Romo

SACO-Walter Melford Romo, 102, a retired farmer, passed away Friday, May 16, 2014, at the Country Home.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at the Saco Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Saco. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Walter Melford Romo was born on the family farm at Lakeside, Montana (Between Bainville & Snowden) on November 26, 1911 to Oscar and Sadie (Algren) Romo. He spent his early years making a mark in eastern Montana. He worked in construction building the highway between Sidney and Glendive. During the construction of Fort Peck Dam he & his brother Lester moved a “chicken coop” to the New Deal to work construction. On September 9, 1936 he married Julia Roessner of Saco/Bowdoin in Malta. He spent a few years working for the Great Northern Railroad as a “pumper” filling steam engines—many moves with his young family known as “bumping” was a way to keep the job, until his oldest daughter started school. He then started water well drilling in partnership with Lester. They drilled many, many of the wells in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. In 1951 he and his wife moved to Saco to Julia’s family homestead, continuing 55 more years of the rest of their lives together. They purchased four small homesteads to add to their Romo Farm. In their later years they worked together in what started out as Julia’s hobby—“Flower Fantasies.” Julia made pictures using pressed flowers, and Walter made the frames using wood from power poles. They attended many craft shows throughout Montana. They worked side by side until Julia’s passing on September 25, 2008 at the age of 93. “Not long enough” according to Walter. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Alaska, taking their maid of honor (Alice Bahn, Walter’s sister, and other family and friends.)

Walter’s secret to longevity was hard work and eggs for breakfast every day. Singing was his way of keeping a positive attitude whether he is with friends or going to sleep. He had good genes as his parents celebrated 71 years of marriage, and both living into their 90’s.

Survivors include his children Julia Belcher of Lolo, Charles (Shelly) Romo of Glasgow, Eunice Romo of Saco; 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.