Monte Robert Hofstrand

1938 - 2024

Monte Robert Hofstrand March 30, 1938 - February 18, 2024 Monte R. Hofstrand born March 30, 1938 in Ellensburg WA died February 18, 2024 at his home in Ellensburg -- 85 years old.

He lived the first five years of his life in Liberty, Washington when it was still a logging camp. His dad, Marvin worked there as a logger. They moved to Ellensburg when Monte reached school age and he attended Hebeler school during his grade school years.

The family later moved to the 'Old Dunford Place' where the much photographed old barn still stands. It was a perfect place for Monte to grow up because even then his main interest was hunting and fishing and it was all right there at the door.

He attended high school in Cle Elum, graduating in 1956. Because he was tall, 6'3", he was encouraged to play basketball in High School but he refused because It interfered with hunting season.

Monte spent the summer after graduating high school working for Russell and Gillette on a construction job in Twisp, Washington. When the job was finished he enlisted in the Air Force where he served for 8 years, first in New Mexico, then 2 years in Turkey. On returning from Turkey he was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane Washington, only about 175 miles from home, and he spent the remainder of his service there. He was a member of the Air Police.

He met his wife, Susan (Sue), in Spokane. She was from Wolf Point, Montana, attending business school in Spoken.

After leaving the Air Force he and Sue returned home to Cle Elum where he worked a summer running Cat for Cresto and Lanphere, then the next year he went to work for Einar Engstrom as a timber faller. He worked for Einar for a time, then borrowed money to buy a D-7 Cat. He bid and won a job with the U.S. Forest Service clearing stumps from Lake Cle Elum.

Following that he gradually added more equipment and went into business building logging roads for the Forest Service and for Plum Creek Timber Co. He and his crew built many of the logging roads in the upper county. He later branched out and eventually switched over to contract logging for Boise Cascade and Plum Creek Timber. He did both tractor logging and cable logging.

He was in business for 30 years, retiring in 2002.

He was a licensed pilot, having learned to fly an airplane in the 1970's.

During his time in business he was always pursuing his main interest In life: hunting and fishing. In addition to Washington he spent much time hunting in Eastern Montana with his wife's family. He and Sue made trips to Alaska, Northern British Columbia, Yukon Territory and to Wyoming. He fished the mountain streams, rivers, lakes, and also the ocean.

He was seriously involved In collecting, buying, and selling antique guns. He and Sue traveled around the country going to gun shows in Reno, Las Vegas, Sioux Falls, Cody, Great Falls to name a few. He was extremely knowledgeable about guns, both antique and modern. If you had a question about a gun he was the person to go to. Same with ammunition. He knew every caliber, every variation, when it was made, who made it.

Another talent, or gift, was his sense of direction. He was never lost. When looking at a logging job, or hunting he could leave the road or trail and walk all day and then find his way back to the exact place he started. Not to mention that he could indeed walk all day and not tire.

To the surprise of many who knew him, he took an interest in gardening after he retired from logging. He planted a small orchard and grew a vegetable garden.

Monte was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Helen Hofstrand, and by his brothers Reg and Bill.

He is survived by his wife, Susan. They were married 63 years.

Honoring his wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no service and no marker. I will miss him forever.