Stephen Park Keeney, 51

Stephen Park Keeney, 51, of Columbia Falls, passed away Nov. 19, 2007.

He was born in San Francisco on June 29, 1956, and lived in California and Connecticut before moving to Montana in 1980.

Steve was moving to Alaska when he stopped to visit a friend in Polebridge, canceled the rest of the trip and set his roots here. He never moved far after that; Hungry Horse, Lakeside and Columbia Falls.

Steve loved Northwest Montana, its majestic scenery, its peace and quiet, and the people who live here.

Steve worked as a logger, firefighter, handyman and a carpenter.

He loved music, and was a talented writer and artist.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney in 1995, and Florence in May 2007.

He is survived by daughter, Kelly Keeney of Rensselaer, N.Y.; brother, William Keeney, and sister-in-law, Maureen, and their daughters, Erin and Sara of Lafayette, Colo.; a sister, Katherine, and brother-in-law, Lyle Hendricks, of Orofino, Idaho; four aunts; an uncle; and many cousins.

A graveside gathering, officiated by Pastor Darrell Newby, will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, at Woodlawn Cemetery and will be followed by a potluck celebration of his life at 5 p.m. at the Senior Center in Columbia Falls. Contact Kathy at 208-476-7740 for information.

If you would like to make a donation, please make it to the charity of your choice.