Wayne Arvid Hillstead, 72

Wayne Arvid Hillstead, 72, passed away on Monday, May 23, 2005, in Great Falls.

He was born May 29, 1932, in Williston, N.D., to Silas and Otelia Hillstead. Wayne grew up on a farm near Grenora, N.D., as one of six children.

He married Betty L. Creech in California, and they later married on July 16, 1954. Their only child, Cindy Louise, was born in 1962. Wayne and Betty owned 12th Street Grocery in Missoula, and then the Seeley Lake Inn in Seeley Lake for a number of years.

Betty passed away in 1986, and Wayne married Georgiana Gulden in later years. Wayne and Georgiana resided in Big Sandy.

Always a joker, Wayne had some of his best times with family, friends, and the best stories of growing up on the farm.

He was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Otelia; his infant brother, Elman Owen; and his wife, Betty.

Wayne is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Greg and Cindy Foley, and two beloved grandkids, Christin and Brent Foley of Kalispell; his wife, Georgiana Gulden of Big Sandy; two sisters, Marge Semmens and Opal Mehus, both of Missoula; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Wilma Hillstead, and Lyle and Irene Hillstead, all of Williston; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Sunset Memorial in Missoula.