Henry Stricker, 83

Henry Stricker passed away on March 16, 2007, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell due to lung cancer. He was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., on March 8, 1924, to Fred and Margaret Stricker. He received his schooling in Scottsbluff and had 16 siblings.

In his early years he did various farming, worked in a mortuary and worked in the Hardin seed factory, where he met his wife and married Neva E. Fly, on Nov. 24, 1946. They resided in Hardin and started their family there. They had three daughters, Linda, JoAnne and Susan.

He then worked in a clothing store in Hardin which led to an opportunity to move and own his own clothing store in Eureka. There he and his wife had two more daughters, Debbie and Penny. They raised their family there and were active members in their community and First Baptist Church in Eureka and he helped in building the new church.

Henry was a Eureka retired volunteer fireman, and a member of Eagles Lodge No. 234 in Kalispell.

He was an avid outdoorsman and had many favorite hobbies that included fishing, bowling, hunting, huckleberry picking, woodworking, playing cards and time spent with family.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Neva of 45 years, and second wife Elnora of seven years.

Surviving are his five daughters, Linda Pershall and husband, Allen Pershall, Kalispell; Penny Brinton and husband, Robert Brinton, Kalispell; Susie Middlestead and husband, Glenn, Helena; JoAnne Dotterweich, Bellevue, Wash.; and Debbie Wicks, Livingston.

Surviving brothers and sisters include Victor Stricker and Robert Stricker of Billings, Rosie Deer and Lydia Jackson of Morrill, Neb., Lillian Backer of Lodi, Calif., Alvina Bennett of Wheatland, Wyo., and Martha Leikam of Riverton, Wyo.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Eric Brinton of Kalispell; Lacey Middlestead of Helena, Mary Elliott of Great Falls, Amy Buckmaster of Dillon, Henry John Wicks of Northfolk, Va., and AC and Justin Dotterweich of Pullman, Wash.; stepgrandchildren Jodie and Josh Brinton of Kalispell; great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Quincy Elliott of Great Falls, and Caleigh and Colton Buckmaster of Dillon; and stepgreat-grandchildren, Spencer and Mia.

Also surviving is his companion of five years, Ann Bell of Kalispell, MT

Henry was preceded in death by his wife, Neva Stricker; and his second wife, Elnora Stricker.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday March 24, 2007, at First Baptist Church in Eureka, with Pastor Pat Lovett officiating. Burial will follow at Tobacco Valley Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Vial Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorials be made to First Baptist Church, Eureka, MT