Donald E Lancto

Donald E. Lancto, 81, passed away at his home in Belgrade, MT on October 3, 2015. He was born January 4, 1934 in Chateauguay, NY to Herbert and Irene Alice (Ploof) Lancto.

Don grew up in upstate New York and enlisted into the Air Force immediately after high school.



He served both domestically, in Germany, and in Korea before meeting his future wife, Rosoleta Boddy, while stationed at Maelstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls. They were united in marriage on January 25, 1964 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bozeman, MT – a marriage lasting 41 years until her death in 2005. While married, Don served our country overseas in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Guam and the family was stationed in Delaware, California and Great Falls, Montana.



When Don retired from the Air Force in 1973 after 20 years of service, the family moved to Belgrade, MT to raise their two daughters Cheryl and Theresa. He began his civilian career working for Gallatin Homes for 7 ½ years followed by Gallatin Field Airport for 14 ½ years before retiring in 1995. Never one to sit idle, he worked for Hardees part-time for 2 years following his second “retirement”.



He was a member of Valley of Flowers Catholic Church, Resurrection Parish, The Bozeman Gem and Mineral Club, and the Bridger Mountain Man Club. He was an accomplished metal and wood worker and was usually found out in his shop working on one project or the other, most often involving an engine. Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, restoring classic cars, black powder gunsmithing, rock hounding, and camping with his family.



Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gordon, sisters Gloria and Kathleen, and wife, Rosoleta.



He is survived by his two daughters, Cheryl Lancto of Circle Pines, MN and Theresa (Jim) Morrissey of Bozeman, MT; brothers Rodger and Dick (Mary) Lancto, sister Bonnie Plummer, and sister Carol; grandson Joe Morrissey; and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.



Visitation Wednesday, October 7, from 9 am to 7 PM, followed by Vigil Service starting at 7 PM, at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman. The Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 8 at 1 PM at St. John Vianney Catholic church in Belgrade, MT. Burial will follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery.



Memorials may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.