Morris Neugebauer

"Damn it!" as Morrie would say. Way too soon, Morris David Neugebauer, 64, of Whitefish rode out of this life at "High Noon" on Thanksgiving Day 2008 surrounded by love.

Morrie was born in Parkston, S.D., on April 12, 1944 to Fred and Leona Neugebauer. He was born into a musical family so he came by it naturally when he made his lifetime career in country music with various musician friends and family through numerous years. His most lasting musical experience was with his wife of 30 years and soul mate Carla. Together they played music and warmed the hearts and souls of many a fan and friend from Wyoming and Montana, Idaho and Washington. In 1991 they produced a recording, "Eastside Bound" that has been heard the world over.

Morrie and Carla also spent the past 13 years together caring for the Whitefish Cemetery with great pride and were instrumental in their most recent accomplishment of the refurbishing of the Veterans Memorial there to honor, among many others, Morrie's son Matthew who is serving in the Army in Afghanistan.

Morrie was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Leona Neugebauer; brother Wilmer Neugebauer; sister Esther Combs; and son Wade David Neugebauer.

He is survived by the love of his life, Carla; son, Army Capt. Matthew Neugebauer Swingholm and wife Lisa; stepson Curtis Ost and wife Staci; stepdaughter Monica Foster and husband Jeff; seven granddaughters, Brandi and Madison Swingholm, Kayla and Kendra Ost, Presley and Makenna Foster, and Wade's daughter Kayley. Morrie is also survived by three brothers, Ron (Marion) Neugebauer, Bob (Vonnie) Neugebauer and Guy (Dianna) Neugebauer; sister Gloria (Al) Serr and sister-in-law Dorothy (Al) Neugebauer Ketterling; many treasured nieces, nephews, families, friends; and his dearest and most trusted lifetime fine friend, Lon P. Davis.

A celebration of Morrie's life will be held at the Moose Lodge of Whitefish on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to participate in a "Memory Deck" may bring an 8-foot 2x6 of redwood to be engraved with the giver's name. The existing deck broke away from his home literally minutes after his passing. Hmmm.