SHERWOOD PARK, Alberta -

Monte K. Yates was employed by R. Angus Caterpillar Co. of Edmonton, Canada, as a machine salesman for the past nine years.  A Navy veteran he served aboard the U.S.S. Robert E. Lee.  He was very devoted to his family and enjoyed the outdoors.

Mr. Yates, 32, was lost in a boating accident August 23 at Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territory, Canada.

He received his education in Billings, Monta., and Edmonton, Alberta.  On April 29, 1978, he married Joan Leibel.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters, Jill and Lisa; his parents, Marlin and LaVerne Yates of Absarokee, Mont.; a brother, Ross of Dickinson, N.D.; and a sister, Stephanie Prather of Los Angeles, Calif.

Memorial services were held August 29 in our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Sherwood Park.

Monte Yates  -  Class Vice President.
Died Aug. 23, 1987

As related by friend, Ron Ostermiller.

Monte had married a Canadian woman (Joan) and moved to Edmonton, Canada where he worked for Caterpillar. In late August, 1987 he went on a fishing trip with a friend to Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories. On their last day, they went back out on the lake one final time at 10:00 at night (land of the midnight sun). They never returned and searchers were unable to find them. They did find their boat, which was beached on an island. Apparently there were two open beers on the dash. It was Aug. 23, 1987. Exactly one year later, Aug. 23, 1988, Monte’s body surfaced and was discovered. He was identified by his Absarokee Huskies shirt. His friend is still missing. Locals in Canada presume that either Monte or his friend was knocked out of the boat by strong winds and one tried to rescue the other. In his will, Monte stated he wanted to be cremated and have his ashes spread on a dance floor so people could take him home with them on their shoes. It’s not known if that was done. Monte is survived by his wife and two daughters.