Edwin (Ed) Lasswell Diehl, Jr.

PLAINS – Edwin (Ed) Lasswell Diehl, Jr., a longtime resident of Plains, passed away at his winter home in Yuma, Arizona on February 27, 2013 from natural causes at the age of 70.

Ed was born in Spokane, Washington to his parents, Ed and Alice (Coogan) Diehl. He attended school in Camas Prairie and Plains and graduated from Plains High School.

Ed married Fern Rosetta on February 14, 1964 and they lived in Plains for many years where they raised their three boys.

Ed worked as a logger, trucker, and heavy equipment operator. He worked the woods all over western Montana and also helped build the Alaska pipeline. Later, Ed and Fern owned and operated the Gambles hardware store together in Plains for 10 years.

After retirement, Ed and Fern divided their time between Yuma, Arizona and Plains and Big Arm, Montana.

Ed enjoyed fishing Flathead Lake, riding his sand rails in the Sonoran Desert, teasing his grandchildren, visiting with his family and friends, and researching his family genealogy.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Marcia Diehl. He is survived by his wife, Fern, with whom he spent 49 happy years; their children, Ed and Jamie of Scio, Oregon, Jason and Heather of Missoula, and Matt and Dana of Plains; as well as four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous cousins.

Memorial donations can be made to the Elisabeth Lenes Scholarship Fund in care of Rocky Mountain Bank, Plains, MT.

No services are planned at this time.