Robert 'Bob' Nelson, 54

Robert "Bob" Nelson, 54, "made his transition from this life to the next" at home with his loved ones at his side on Jan. 6, 2006.

He is survived by his lifelong love and wife of 31 years, Judy; their beloved son, Matthew; his mother, Maxine; a very large clan of brothers, Rick and Carol, and Jim and Ivy; sisters, Martha and Steve Shelley, and Margaret and Roger Radabah; and Bob's aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Also his father-in-law, Eugene and Marjorie; brother-in-law, Larry and Debbie Messick; sister-in-law, Connie; and mother-in-law, Hazel Thorburn.

Bob was born in Chillicothe, Mo. Happily in February of 1977, Bob and Judy joined in an adventure, spearheaded by Mom and Dad Nelson, that brought them to Kalispell. He enjoyed his life in Montana. He was an avid outdoorsman. A perfect day for Bob may have been spent picking huckleberries with "Bro" Gary Russell; coming home to enjoy a dinner of fish he had caught; enjoying the company of family or his friends, Carmen, Trenton or Ray; a walk to the garden with a ball and his best friend, his dog, Scooby Doo. All that knew him loved him. He will be deeply missed.

"He will be greeted in heaven" by his dad, Royce, and brothers, John and Jay.

Viewing will be Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Buffalo Hills Mortuary. Services will be held at 11 a.m. at Buffalo Hills Mortuary chapel with graveside services following in Bigfork at the Little Brown Church. A celebration of his life will be held at Sawbucks following graveside services.