Viola Salgat

Viola Marie Salgat, 97, passed from this earthly sojourn to the blessed hereafter on Monday, May 18, 2026, at French Manor Assisted Living, Traverse City. Born to the late Emmanuel Edward Schaub and Lillian Drow Schaub on October 17, 1928, in Provemont (now Lake Leelanau), Michigan, she married Gene Montague in 1944, lived on the historic Montague cherry farm on the Old Mission Peninsula, and became the mother of five children. She married Leonard “Lenny” Salgat in 1967, relocated to Southern California, later returned to Michigan, and resided for nearly five decades in Grawn.

“Vi” was a gentle and beloved matriarch of four generations. She welcomed family visits, enjoyed doll making, hosted yard sales where her inimitable baked goods were a major draw, and, like her father and his father, was an unabashedly competitive card player. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, shopping, cats, and music. Vi was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church where she enjoyed playing bingo and sharing fellowship with her friends, Pat Alpers and Lynn Kolarik. She will be remembered for her heartwarming, joyful laugh and the happiness she brought to those around her. Deeply loved by her entire family, she will be dearly missed.

Left to cherish Vi’s memory are her four children and their spouses, and grandchildren: son Edward Montague and wife Linda LaCross of Traverse City, and children Charles Montague, Mark Montague, Nancy Montague, and Nick Kowalski; daughter Judy Montague Bland and husband Steven of Lincolnton, NC, and children Steven (Barbara) Bland II, Laurel (Robert) Lane, and Martin (Tammy) Bland; son Jack Montague of Traverse City, and children Kim Montague Lyons, Paul Montague, Keri Montague Lindman, and Krista Montague; daughter, Jean Montague Marcus and husband David of Grand Haven, and children Shawn (Tracy) Parsh, Geoffrey (Dawn) Parsh, Jamie Parsh (Scott) Tuma, Jill Parsh, and Kurt (Kristi) Parsh; and a remarkable host of great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren. She also had a fond attachment to her second husband’s children and their descendants.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by both her husbands, her infant daughter Nancy Montague, brother Wallace “Wally” Schaub, sister Geraldine “Gerry” Schaub Jarvie, and great-granddaughter Amber Dennis.

Cremation has taken place. The family will welcome visitors from 11:00 am, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Life Story Funeral Home with a celebration of life service immediately following at noon with Deacon Tim Webb officiating. VI’s final resting place will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Blair Township.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.lifestorytc.com.