Kenneth 'Keny' Asa Clothier, 86

Kenneth "Keny" Asa Clothier, 86, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2005, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.

He was born on April 21, 1919, in Kalispell. Keny attended grade school in Lakeside and Somers before graduating from Flathead County High School in 1939.

He joined the Army on Sept. 16, 1940. He always said he signed up for one year and came home four years later. He served with the 163 Medical Detachment 41st Infantry Division. Keny was discharged on June 14, 1945.

On June 2, 1946, Keny married Faye Thompson in Kalispell. He worked at services stations, logging, Hungry Horse Dam and drove a Kalispell City bus for several years before going to work for the state highway department in 1954.

In 1974, Keny and Faye built their dream cabin on Bitterroot Lake, which they enjoyed until her death in 1978.

On Nov. 7, 1980, Keny married Beulah Stearns. Since their marriage they have had many happy summers at the cabin. They also made many new close friends between 1980 and 1991 wintering in Good Life in Mesa, Ariz.

Keny retired after 33 years with the highway department, at the age of 60.

Keny was preceded in death by his first wife; parents; and three brothers, Neil, George Eldon and William.

He is survived by his wife, Beulah, of Kalispell; two sons, Dale and wife, Betty, of Marion and Ricky and wife, Barbie, of Clovis, Calif.; one daughter, Bonnie Clothier of Kalispell; two stepdaughters, Linda and Royce Robinson of Kalispell, and Claire and Toby Svejkovsky of Henderson, Nev.; one stepson, Clyde and Candi Stearns of Ruston, La.; and a stepdaughter, Janet and Bud Tyree; three brothers, Stan, Don and Darrell; and a sister, Emma Lou Reed. Keny is also survived by eight grandchildren, Toby, Nichole, Crystal, Tiffany, Shelley, Brittany, Tia and Brooke; numerous great- grandchildren; and two very close friends, Bill Merkle and wife of Shelter Bay, Wash., and Jerry Criner and friend of Wyoming.

Visitation for Keny will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Friends and family are invited to a graveside service for Keny at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with Robert Malberg officiating. There will be a reception immediately following at the Elks Lodge in Kalispell.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Montana Veterans Home: 400 Veterans Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

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