John Merlen Saverud, 65

John Merlen Saverud, 65, of Bothell, Wash., passed away peacefully at the Lakevue Gardens Convalescent Center in Kirkland, Wash., on June 17, 2005, after a brief battle with cancer.

John was born in Kalispell, on Oct. 15, 1939, to Berger and Myrtle Johnson Saverud. After graduating from Flathead County High School in 1958, John enlisted in the Navy where he served in the United States and Guam.

John worked for the Army Corps of Engineers as a construction inspector prior to his retirement. Locally, he worked on the construction of Libby Dam.

John was an avid fisherman and hunter. As a young man he spent many happy hours with his cousin, Harold, at the Braaten family ranch in the Swan Valley. He shot a world record Mouflon-type sheep while on a vacation in Hawaii in 1999.

John is survived by his children, Wayne, Brian and Robyn, Anita and Allen; four granddaughters; brothers, Wayne and Sheryl, and Dale and Georgia, of Kalispell; three nieces, a nephew and numerous cousins. He is also survived by his loving companion, Bonnie Greenland, and the extended members of the Eveland family.

Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, July 15, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main Street, Kalispell.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Foundation Endowment Fund, P. O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.