Duane H. Wethern, 50

Duane H. Wethern, 50, of Kalispell, died Feb. 19, 2005, of injuries he received in a traffic accident near Otter Creek Road, 13 miles southeast of Raynesford.

A memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. today, March 1, at the Agricultural Center in Fort Benton.

Duane was born June 29, 1954, in Fort Benton to Gilbert and Lucille (Heiter) Wethern.

Duane attended school in Geraldine as well as Fort Benton, where he graduated high school.

He married Lisa Chaplin and was blessed with three children -- Alan of Kalispell, Scott of Great Falls, and Lindsey of Florida. They later divorced.

He later married Leslie (Gibson); they were married for 13 years, were recently divorced, but continued to be close friends and companions.

He worked several years as a grain elevator manager.

Prior to his death, Duane had his own landscaping business in Kalispell. He had the ability to transform a neglected piece of land into a beautiful healthy environment.

Duane loved hunting, fishing, rafting and spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible.

He had a great sense of humor, as well as a fun-loving nature accompanied by an intoxicating giggle that could be recognized from a mile away. He graced the lives of people lucky enough to know him.

He recently developed a strong interest in outdoor photography and spent much of his free time capturing pictures of the countryside and wild animals.

He left this world while doing what he loved most with his companion and eternal friend and brother, Jerry Koch.

He is survived by his mother, Lucille Wethern, of Great Falls; two sons, Alan Wethern of Kalispell, and Scott Wethern of Great Falls; daughter, Lindsey Wethern of Florida; brother, Dennis Wethern and his wife, Connie Wethern, of Glasgow; sisters, Linda Wethern of Portland, Evelyn Wethern of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ann Koch of Fort Benton; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Memorials in Duane's name are suggested to the Choteau County Search and Rescue.

Burial has already taken place.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Benton Funeral Home.