Stan Hould

Stanley, or S.J. as he was referred in his youth, passed away in Kalispell, Mont. on Sunday, December 17, 2017. Stan was born on July 27th, 1927. He was born at home on his parent's, Marguerite and Sid Hould, homestead in Wagner, Montana. Stan was the second of three boys in the Hould family.

From an early age, the three boys, Denver, Stan and Donald, learned the tools of the farming trade while getting an education at a nearby, one room school house. As the tale was told, all three boys rode the 5 miles to school each day on a single horse. This school was significant to the family because it was where Margueite (King) Hould came to teach when she moved to Montana from North Dakota in 1917. Stanley then attended Malta High School where he was on the basketball team and participated in the local 4-H club.

Stan's college career included time at Carroll College and the University of Nebraska. During his second year of college, his father passed away and Stan was called home to help his mother run what had grown into a large farm and ranch. He continued to run the ranch with his mother until marrying Beverly Ann Harrison in 1950, and soon after welcoming his first child, Ann Marie.

Stan and his young family moved to a dry land farm in Dutton, Mont. in the early 1950's. The old homestead had no running water, each day water was hauled from 10 miles away for washing and drinking. Stan worked diligently to operate the farm, with only the help of a single hired man during the harvest. In the early years the yield would be 5 bushels to an acre; and a wished for bumper crop would be 15. During the winter months, Stan would return to Malta to work at the Peters' Lumber Yard. This job taught him carpentry skills that he continued to enjoy throughout his life.

In 1956, Stan went back to college at the U of M, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Science and then obtained a master's degree in Physics and Science in 1960. The family began spending winters in Helena and Stan went to work overseeing ranch lands for the Rankin Family. During this time, he also taught math at the girl's reform school in the Helena Valley. Summers continued to be spent working the dry land farm near Dutton.

In 1963 Dutton became his year round residence. That year, Stan was named principal of the Dutton grade school. In the school district he also taught German, Physics and Chemistry. During these years of teaching and farming, Stan welcomed two more children, Jami and Jay. After guiding and mentoring many of Dutton's youth, he retired from teaching and moved to Conrad in 1970 to embark on a career in the construction industry.

In Conrad, Stan built and remodeled homes, while also working on commercial construction projects. It was also during this time that Stan became interested in the Seed Growing distribution industry, which he saw as having significant opportunity for growth. This led Stan to yet another reinvention.

In 1975, he started his own seed company, Big Sky Wholesale Seeds, in Shelby. Stan grew the company from a rented warehouse with a trailer for an office, to a successful, well-respected native grass seed supplier. He developed a wide network of relationships with farmers and seed industry professionals which he viewed as both collogues and friends. This business has continued to prosper and grow, now owned by his son, Jay.

In his retirement, Stan moved on to Flathead Lake. He loved fishing, gardening and also continued to build homes in Lakeside, Mt. In 1994 Stan married Pat Lambrecht. They shared a great passion for the accomplishments of their blended family. Their real delights, were spending time with the grandchildren and, "Ah, The Lake Life ".

The couple spent 18 winters in Wickenburg, Ariz.; where Stan became involved with the business aspect of Pat's art career. Subsequently, he also developed a love of painting. They also spent a lot of summers and weekends during those 18 years in their getaway house in Valier, enjoying some quiet time and fishing on Lake Frances.

Stan and Pat spent 23 loving years together. Stan has left many great and funny memories for us. He was loved by all, and will be greatly missed.

Stan is survived by his wife, Pat Lambrecht-Hould Lakeside, Mont., Daughter: Ann Hould-Ward, New York,

Son: Jay Hould (Diane) Shelby, Mont. Daugther: Jami Dyrdahl (Lance), West Linn, Ore.

Daughter: Tresha Lambrecht-Holden (Jack) Valier, Mont., Daughter:Tanya Lambrecht, Kalispell, Mont. Eight Grandchildren , two Great Grandchild, His Sister in Law's; Myrtle Hould, Malta, Mont and Kay Hould, Malta, Mont., along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Stan's memorial will be in Lakeside, Mont. at the Community Church, January 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. with a lunch/ reception to be served. In lieu of flowers, please send condolences to Home Options (Hospice) 275 Corporate Drive Suite 600, Kalispell, MT 59901 or the charity of your choice.