Donnie Laughlin, 70, of Stevensville, MT died peacefully at home on April 29, 2016, with his wife whispering a final goodbye.
Donnie was born November 28, 1945 in Rapid City, SD, to James and Ida Laughlin. His parents and a sister, Dodie, preceded him in death. On the 4th of July, 1975, Donnie married Patty Flachsenhar. Together they raised apples, goats, sheep, turkeys, dogs, cats and two daughters at the home they built on Sagebrush Hill.
Donnie was a man of many skills and interests. He earned his living as a carpenter. He was an environmental activist and a lifelong student of history and philosophy. Donnie was a member and past president of Friends of the Bitterroot. For several years he lobbied tirelessly for environmental protections. In 1996, Donnie received recognition as a Lifelong Friend of the Bitterroot. He loved hiking the Bitterroot drainages with his family and dogs.
After retiring from the U of M College of Technology, where he developed the carpentry curriculum, Donnie helped found the Institute of Wild Thought – exploring human traditions and celebrating the earth as a wild being.
Donnie is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patty of Stevensville, daughter Louise Laughlin and best friend Amos Wisherd of Missoula, and daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Emma, Rob and Ben Mediak of Stevensville. Other surviving family members include brother and wife, Ron and Linda Laughlin of Rapid City, and sister and husband Tanya and Rob Wilson, also of Rapid City. Donnie was proud uncle to numerous nieces and nephews scattered east, west, north and south.
A celebration of beginnings and endings will be held in early June. Please come share stories and tall tales of Donnie’s endeavors and adventures.