Norbert Francis Donahue, 88

Norbert Francis Donahue passed away on Jan. 21, 2007, at Brendon House in Kalispell of natural causes. Norbert was born March 9, 1918, in Spokane. He was the son of Dennis Bernard Donahue and Elizabeth Chasse. The family lived in Cut Bank, and Norbert attended the public schools there through grade four. He subsequently attended St. Thomas Home Catholic boarding school in Great Falls, St. Jude parish school in Havre, Cut Bank High School, and Missoula County High School, from which he graduated in 1935.

Norb received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University in 1939 and a juris doctorate from Gonzaga Law School in 1941. He was most proud of the fact that he passed the Montana State Bar examination between his junior and senior years of law school and, at age 22, was one of the youngest persons to become eligible to practice law by examination in the state.

Shortly after graduation from law school, Norb was offered an appointment as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After completing the FBI training school, he was assigned to the Knoxville, Tenn., field office. He subsequently served in Washington, D.C., Detroit, Jackson, Mich., Los Angeles, Butte, and Missoula before his final transfer, in 1948, to Kalispell.

In August of 1942, while working in the Washington, D.C., office, Norbert married Ruby Ecklund of Denison, Iowa. They have been married for 64 years and had four children.

In 1968, Norbert retired from the FBI and joined the law firm of Rockwood, Murray and Donahue. In addition to his private practice of law, he soon became the City Attorney for the city of Kalispell on a part-time basis. In 1977, Norbert left his law firm and moved into the City Attorney position full-time, which he held until retiring in 1982. He was then appointed to complete the term of a deceased Justice of the Peace for Flathead County, which ended in 1983.

For many years, Norb was an active bridge player, and was instrumental in the founding of the Kalispell Duplicate Bridge Club in 1951. He was just short of achieving Life Master status. Norb was a life member of The Knights of Columbus and the Elks. He was also a member of Rotary and a charter member of the Kalispell Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He also served as a member of the board of directors for the Conrad Mansion.

Norb was an active fisherman, hunter, golfer, and hiker, and the whole family enjoyed their cabin on Flathead Lake, which he built himself beginning in 1956. Norb served on the board of directors for the Buffalo Hill Golf Course and was very active in the development of the course from a nine-hole course to a 27-hole layout.

Norb's two passions, however, were downhill skiing and city government. In 1957, he learned to ski, together with Ruby and their children. He was active in the Kalispell Ski Club, was a longtime member of its board of directors, and ran the Club's Junior Learn to Ski program for about 10 years. In the late '70s, he wrote a weekly skiing column for the Daily Inter Lake called "Slope Dope." He loved skiing at Big Mountain with his friends, who called themselves "The Ranger Ricketeers," and he took annual trips to other ski areas in the U.S. and Canada with "The Ski Bums" of Great Falls. He was finally forced to quit skiing at the age of 83 by failing eyesight.

Norbert was always willing to discuss the issues facing city government, and he was elected to the Kalispell City Council and served for one term. City Council meetings were lively when Norbert held office, and he vigorously argued his point of view for what he felt was in Kalispell's best interest. He later contributed frequently to the Daily Inter Lake letters to the editor, commenting on the issues of the day.

Norbert was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Elizabeth; his daughter, Michele Abley; and his son, Patrick.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby; his two sons, Mark of Corvallis, Ore. and Barry of Ellensburg, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Sean, Brian and Kevin Abley.

Visitation will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Johnson Mortuary. A rosary service will be said at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Johnson Mortuary Chapel, and a Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 am. on Friday, Jan. 26, at St. Matthew's Church, with Father Vic Langhans celebrant.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Kalispell Hospice-Home Options; or the Montana Talking Book Library, P.O. Box 201800, Helena MT 59620.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Norb's family.