Alton O. 'Al' Dybwad, 78

Alton O. "Al" Dybwad, 78, of Fruitland, Idaho, went gently from this life to his heavenly home on Nov. 25, 2005.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. today at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Ontario, Ore.

Alton was born in McHenry, N.D., to Kaaron and John Dybwad on May 2, 1927. He was last of 14 children. He grew up in Glenfield, N.D. He graduated from Glenfield-Sutton High School in Glenfield. He served in the Army from 1943-1946.

AI married his wife, Viola Diehl-Pauley, on Feb. 14, 1970. He lived most of his adult life in Kalispell. In 2001, he and Viola moved to Fruitland to be near their daughter, Donna Batt.

Alton is survived by his wife; his beloved sister, Beatrice Hugelman of Phoenix; his children by a former marriage, David and Linda Dybwad of Tacoma, Wash., Kaaren and Walter Reyes, Phillip and Lynn Worth, and children, Sandra and Pauley Rogers of Kalispell, Donna (Pauley) Batt of Fruitland, Randy and Leslie Pauley of Bozeman; and 20 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

His parents; 12 brothers and sisters; a daughter, Linda Walker; a great-grandchild, Kayla Walker; and his son-in-law, Stephen Batt, preceded him in death.

AI was a man of many talents. He was involved in work on Mount Rushmore and putting in the electric "high line" of Wyoming. In 1962 he went to work for Aid Association for Lutherans until he retired in 1992. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and gardening and was a champion game player.

Alton was known for his faith in Jesus Christ. He served many years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalispell. His love for his Lord was the greatest legacy he gave to his children. He was a warm, honest, gentle man that enjoyed joking with anyone with whom he came in to contact.

He was cared for at home by Pathway Hospice, his wife, and his children, Donna, David and Randy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to help the living. Gifts can be sent to Pilgrim Lutheran Church-Russian Mission or Pathway Hospice.