Joseph Gaylord LaFond

MALTA-Joseph Gaylord LaFond, age 101, one month and 20 days passed away peacefully July 4th, 2017 at the Phillips County Hospital. His daughter Darlene, granddaughter Tammy LaFond, her daughter Josie, and great-granddaughter Emelin Fish were by his side when he went to be with his bride.

Rosary was 7 p.m., Sunday, July 9, at the Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Funeral Mass was 10 a.m., Monday, July 10, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Malta Cemetery. The reception was at the V.F.W. Club and followed the graveside services. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.

Gaylord was born May 14, 1916, five miles west of Malta, on the family farm to John Baptist and Mary Ellen (Cloutier) LaFond. He attended the LaFond School through the eighth grade.

Gaylord married the love of his life, Mae Svein, whom he called his 'bride', on October 13, 1940, in Malta, Mont., at St. Mary's Rectory with the ceremony performed by Father Crowley.

Gaylord, with Mae as the bookkeeper, went to work as a carpenter, a beekeeper, and a ranch manager over the years. Gaylord and Mae started a concrete business, what is now Malta Ready Mix, in the 1950's selling it in the 1970's. Over the years, Gaylord helped build the Catholic Churches in Saco, Whitewater, and Dodson. He also built the convent in Hays and the convent and bell tower at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Malta. Together Gaylord and Mae built and ran the Bon Soir Motel which is now the Edgewater Inn.

Gaylord and Mae had six children, J. Gaylord Jr. (1941), Maynord (1943), Darlene (1945), Edward (1949), Craig (1953) and Susan (1958). Their son Gaylord died in a vehicle accident in 1970.

The couple played Duplicate Bridge throughout the years, winning many trophies and plaques. Pinochle and whist were among the games they enjoyed playing; however, Texas Hold'em was the all-time favorite. Family was very important to Gaylord, he and Mae attended many sporting events where their children and grandchildren participated. Holidays were always special at the LaFond home, sometimes hosting as many as 80 family members.

Gaylord was a member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as a 4th degree Grand Knight, and as treasurer and trustee.

Survivors include: sons; Maynord (Mary) of Malta, Ed (Janet) of Billings, Craig (Janice) of Helena; daughters; Darlene Froman of Malta and Susan (Larry) Matthews of Arizona; daughters-in-laws; Edith (Phil) Scott of Billings, Clara (Ted) Wolf and one sister, Glory LaFond Taylor of Malta; 25 grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mae, of 73 years, his parents, one son, J Gaylord Jr., grandson, Travis Shane Bennatt, sons in laws, Bill Bennatt and Billy Froman.