Monty M. Lumsden

         Monty M. Lumsden, age 77, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully, with his wife Karen at his side, on Friday, January 5, 2018 at his home.            A “Thanks for the Memories” gathering will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. at the Lutheran Resurrection Church (3500 29th St. in Marion, Iowa).                   Monty was born August 26, 1940 at his loving home in Lehigh, Iowa.  He was a bundle of joy and happiness.  Monty was full of character and integrity which he received from his parents.  He grew up in Lehigh where he graduated from High School in 1958.   Monty was very active in Boy Scouts while growing up and received the rank of Eagle Scout on August 29, 1956 through Troop 12 in Lehigh. This is Scouting’s highest rank.  He was Eagle Scout #236 in the state of Iowa to achieve the rank and he was the youngest Scout in Iowa, at the time, to receive such a cherished and earned award.     Monty met the love of his life, Karen Hunter, at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, in 1958 on the dance floor in Beaver Hall.  They were married on August 21, 1960 at the United Methodist Church in Scranton.  To this union was born two sons, Todd James and Scot Allen.  Todd gave his brother Scot a little red wagon, “THE FLYER” when he came home from the hospital.  The two were, and still are, the best of brothers as any parent could be blessed with.  GOD IS GOOD.   Monty worked for Skelly Oil Company starting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He was promoted to Business Manager for the large new truck stops the company was developing and he was stationed in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.  He was Skelly’s top Sales Manager for the state of Wisconsin and set many records with the company.  Monty continued to be active in Scouting while living in Wisconsin and mentored over 125 Scouts during the three years they lived there.       The Lumsdens moved to Bozeman, Montana in 1971 where Monty taught junior high school and coached football and basketball.  They also lived in Waseca, Minnesota, before moving to Marion in 1979 where he sold agricultural products for Halford and Sons and Indy Crop Care.      Monty loved farming and helping all farmers to profit from the Bounty of God’s Green Earth.  Monty had an extraordinary mix of traits, talents, and experience which made up the fingerprint of his soul.  Monty always rose to the challenges of higher accomplishments.       He loved family reunions and keeping in touch with his family. Monty enjoyed his garage visits with all the neighbors that stopped by.  He was especially blessed and PROUD of his sons Todd and Scot.        Monty is survived by his wife Karen of 57 stimulating, fun, years, of Marion, Iowa; two sons: Dr. Todd Lumsden (Janice) of Jackson, Missouri and Scot Lumsden (Carol Johnson) of Marion, Iowa; one grandson Dr. Marc Lumsden (fiancée Danielle Moyar) of Elmira, New York; a great grandson Broden Godeken; Monty’s only sweet dear sister Lynette Higby (Ron) of Rockford, Iowa, two sisters-in-law: Jessie Howard (James) of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Inez Mattke (Mark) of Marion;  his nephews: Glenn Higby, Mackenzie Mattke, and only Niece Cassady Hoff.  He was met at the top of the Golden Stairs to Heaven by his parents, Morris and Magadaliene (Dugger) Lumsden and his mother and father-in-law James and Cleo Hunter.