Lincoln L. 'Linc' France, 84

Lincoln L. "Linc" France, 84, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Grass Range to Fred and Stella France. He was raised in the Lewistown and Bitterroot area. Linc finished his formal education in eighth grade to help support his family.

He was married to Ruth Davis Carlson on June 18, 1947, in Hamilton. They lived in Hamilton, and in 1960, they moved to Missoula. In 1965, they moved to Columbia Falls, where Linc ran Linc's Automotive where he could fix anything. If he didn't have the tool, he could make one.

Linc loved to write letters to newspapers and congressmen to let them know what he was thinking.

His marigolds have become a landmark in Columbia Falls. Linc also loved gardening and plowing snow on his old John Deere tractor.

He was a Columbia Falls city councilman and a member of the Senior Citizens, R.S.V.P., Meals On Wheels and various other organizations.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Ruth; an infant daughter, Candice; his brothers, Merrit, Miles and Milton France; and his sister, Wanda.

Linc is survived by his children, Larry and Jamie France of Kalispell, Carol and Tom Haid of Spokane, Robert and Ann Carlson of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Allan and Jan Carlson of Elizabeth Lake, Calif., and Pat and Leroy Kindsvogel of Woodburn, Ore.; his brothers, Verdon, Aaron, Kenneth and Clinton France; a sister, Wilma Snell; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.

The family has suggested that memorials be made to the North Valley Senior Citizens Center or to a charity of the donor's choice.