Emil E. "Bud" Struck, 75
Emil E. "Bud" Struck, 75, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center due to complications of diabetes.
He was born on Feb. 18, 1930, on a homestead south of Malta to Emil and Emma Struck. In 1936, the family moved to Kalispell and resided near the Flathead River on East Cottonwood Drive.
Bud attended Flathead County High School and in 1947, at the age 17, he joined the United States Army at the end of World War II. He served as military policeman while stationed in Germany.
On Dec. 24, 1949, he married Eva Mossgraber in Bruchsal, Germany. They returned to the states in March of 1950 and resided in Kalispell. They had a son, Gary, in 1954.
Bud spent 23 years of his life working as a boat builder for Lee Craft Marina. He was the only certified boat builder in the valley for many years. He enjoyed taking the hand-crafted boats to regional shows.
In 1966, on land he owned near the Flathead River, he and his family started Spruce Park Campground. They met and made many new friends who traveled through the area at stayed at Spruce Park. Bud and Eva continued to run the business until 1972. After 24 years of marriage, they separated.
On Nov. 24, 1973, he married Shirley. Last fall they celebrated 32 years of marriage. They spent much of their marriage working together in jointly owned businesses. Together they owned Glacier Builders and spent many years building numerous homes in the valley. In 1980, they started their potato business; growing and preparing potatoes to service local restaurants.
Bud's most recent business was operating "Sweet Treats" during the summer months. Selling ice cream and seeing the happy faces of little kids, made this "the best job he ever had."
He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, picnicking in Glacier Park and socializing over coffee at Cislos.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Kalispell; one son, Gary, and wife, Debbie, and their children, Stacy Struck and Stephen Struck and his wife, Joni, and their daughter, Laci, of Kalispell; stepson, Byron Bruns, and wife, Cindy, and their twin daughters, Madison and Michaela, of Reno, Nev.; stepdaughter, Mandy Foster, and husband, Jeff, and their two sons, Bradley and Dawson, of Anchorage, Alaska; nephews, Darvin Struck and wife Bonnie of Kalispell, Bob Kuhn and wife Edna, and Bill Kuhn and wife Cerita, of Havre; nieces, Lois Kuhn, Leona Olson, and Evelyn Anderson and husband Lee, all of Havre, and Linda Thackery and husband Mike, and numerous family members in Minnesota.
The family suggests memorials be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Music/Organ Fund.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Johnson's Mortuary.
Services will be held on Saturday, March 19, at 2:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Burial will be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A reception will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Johnson's Mortuary is caring for the family.