Ralph W. Schwarz, 82

Ralph W. Schwarz, 82, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Ralph was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Gillette, Wyo., to Ralph and Edna Schwarz.

When Ralph was 2 years old, his mother passed away. He was raised by his grandparents, aunts and uncles. He graduated from high school in 1942.

In 1943, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served until 1946, when he was honorably discharged.

He then traveled to Pennsylvania and became an iron worker. He helped build bridges and high rises across the United States.

He married Olga Kotoris and was blessed with three children, Ellen Baker, Michael Schwarz, and a son, Stephan, who passed away in 1970.

Ralph went to work at the Columbia Falls aluminum plant, where he worked for 30-plus years. Ralph and Olga later were divorced..

In 1980, he married Beverly Kostman, and joined her extended family.

He loved camping, boating, fishing and backpacking into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area with his friends.

Ralph enjoyed the Eagles Lodge and what it stands for — its motto is 'People helping people.' He served as trustee for Aerie 234 for several years, as Aerie president twice, and served as Aerie state trustee and state president. He made many friends and was proud to belong to such a giving organization.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughter, Ellen Baker, and her husband, Rocky, of Kalispell; son, Michael Schwarz, and his wife, Isabelle, of Wilder, Idaho; three stepchildren, Sherry Stewart and her fiance, Mark Lamoreux, Christy Doty and her husband, Steve, all of Kalispell, and Chuck McDowell and Kathyrn of Bellevue, Wash.; grandchildren, Peter Baker, Alex Campbell and her husband, Aaron, Nidia Schwarz, Jose Schwarz, and Sascha Walters and her husband, Brent; stepgrandchildren, Billy Salmonson and his wife, Stacey, Michelle Morris and her husband, Rob, LeRoy Doty, Brittney Erie, and Justin Sherman and his wife, Scarlett; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 6, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with the Rev. Larry Stappler officiating. Cremation will be after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.