Wilfred Paul 'Buster' Dufour, 86

Wilfred Paul "Buster" Dufour, 86, of Lakeside, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005, at his home.

He was born on Aug. 5, 1919, in Coffee Creek, Mont., to Peter Fortuna and Julia (Zenisek) Dufour. As a young boy, he grew up in Somers, and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1937. He was a pioneer member of Scout Troop 34, Somers's first Boy Scout troop. Buster attended the University of Montana and graduated in 1941 from the School of Forestry.

He spent many fall hunting seasons outfitting in the Bob Marshall with his brother-in-law and childhood friend, Les Averill.

Buster enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving from 1941 to 1945 in the 93rd Bomb Group, stationed in England and subsequently in North Africa.

Buster married Bernadette Paul on Sept. 27, 1947, in Missoula.

He worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, USDA, for 30 years at Conrad, Kalispell, Philipsburg and Hamilton. In 1975, Buster was awarded a national Commendation from the Soil Conservation Society of America for his noteworthy leadership in plant resource management.

He was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Somers, The UM Alumni Association, and the VFW. For 10 years, he volunteered to collect monthly water samples to help monitor and study Flathead Lake. Buster was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and duck carver, and he built award winning bird houses. He enjoyed teaching his family and friends about the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doloris Averill.

Survivors include his wife, Bernadette; son, Peter; daughters, Diane and Roxie; grandchildren, Taharaa, Bijoux, Eddie Wong Sky and Colin Dunphy; and nephews, Dan, Dary, Doug and Dalvin Averill.

There will be a Requiem Mass celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at John Paul II Catholic Church in Bigfork, with Monsignor Donald W. Shea officiating. Burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 19, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon reception at 1 p.m. at Flathead Lake Lodge.

The family has suggested that donations be made to John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell Road or P.O. Box 277, Bigfork, MT 59911 or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Buster's family.