Alf Archie Lecaptain

After a full and active life, Alf Archie LeCaptain passed away peacefully on Jan. 21, 2019, in Billings, at the age of 93.

Alf was born June 17, 1925, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, to Herman and Anita LeCaptain. He was the fourth of their five children, which included Lyle (Uncle Tubby), Veda, Bernhard (Bud), Alf, and Clair Jean (Gene). Gene is his last living sibling. Alf was a radioman in WWII aboard the USS Charlottesville in the Pacific Theater of operations. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard and retired from the Seabees.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, where he met his wife, Nancy Coulter. Alf and Nancy were married in 1950 on Alf’s birthday. The couple had four children: Todd, Eric, Susan and Bruce. Alf and Nancy shared a love of the outdoors, and they taught their children how to ski, backpack, hunt, fish and canoe. They cherished their time at their cabin at East Rosebud Lake.

Alf and Nancy began skiing at Red Lodge Mountain the year it opened up. Alf was a longtime member of the Beartooth Ski Patrol. He loved skiing, both downhill and cross-country. One winter, he and a few of his crazy ski buddies cross country skied from Cooke City to East Rosebud Lake on what is now called The Beaten Path.

Alf made a career in the food industry. He loved working with many of the dairies in Montana. He also owned and operated a couple of restaurants in Billings. Always a charmer, he was a natural salesman and host.

In his later years, he enjoyed annual trips to Ingram Days in Ingram, Wisconsin. He would watch a softball game, drink a beer and reminisce about growing up in the area with his relatives.

Alf will continue to live in the memories of his children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his brother Gene. We take comfort in knowing that Alf is at peace and has joined his wife Nancy, who preceded him in death. We will be forever grateful for the gifts he and Nancy gave us.

Private family memorial services will be held this summer.

places

the places we went

were heaven sent

places to run places to play

places to enjoy the best of the day

places located behind the town

places where children could

run jump and act like a clown

with no old ones to slow us down

places to sit quietly

with our backs against a tree

race through the woods

race through the grass

jump on a stump

fall on our

the day is done

homeward we went

bruises abundant

another day well spent

— archie