Bruce Wayne Haskell,

Born to Rolland and Leona Haskell on Sept. 20, 1956, in Rapid City, S.D., he died on Nov. 8, 2004, near Anchorage, Alaska.

A younger boy, Bruce moved along with his family to Kalispell. He completed his early education at Helena Flats School and Flathead High School. Following, he joined the Naval Forces, receiving training in nuclear science.

Previously married to Vicki (Schlabs), the two share a beautiful daughter Sonia, now age 28.

He moved to Alaska, in 1979, and there he remained, working as a journeyman electrician with the IBEW union. His work included the pipeline and oil-spill cleanup in Valdeze.

In Alaska, Bruce was dubbed aka "Hoppy." He was very much a part of the land where he lived; fishing, hunting, trapping, and panning for gold. His truest passion was the great outdoors.

In Anchorage, Michelle Pruis (his girlfriend) shared the last part of his life along with two dogs and a cat "their kids").

His family writes: "In great admiration of this man that walks, soul and spirit, kinship with the bear, we say goodbye."

He was preceded in death by mother, Leona (Strand) Haskell; niece, Angela Sanford; and nephew, Jesse Archibald.

Surviving family: father, Rolland Haskell; daughter, Sonia Petersen; sisters, Sherri Witschger, Christina May Haskell, Patty Archibald, and Diane Sanford.

Memorial service 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 19 at the Little Brown Church, (125 Swan Hwy., Bigfork). A memory gathering and celebration of his life will be held directly following the service at his sister Patty's home (1087 Mooring Road, Columbia Falls).

Private burial of his cremated remains will be 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at Glacier Memorial Cemetery.