Harold S. 'Bud' Cottet Sr., 84
Harold S. "Bud" Cottet Sr., 84, of Kalispell, passed away Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
Bud was born in Fredrick, S.D., on June 15, 1923, the son of Harold and Edna B. (Weekly) Cottet. He received his education in Fredrick before moving with his family to the Flathead in 1938. Bud worked for the CCC's and Somers Lumber Company, prior to marrying Joyce O. Burton on Aug. 15, 1942.
He was drafted into the United States Army at Butte, on Feb. 20, 1943, serving in the 60th General Hospital Medical Corps, in the New Guinea and Philippines areas as a ward master, and was discharged Dec. 31, 1945, from Fort Lewis, Wash.
Bud returned to Kalispell working as a carpenter. He was a 50-year member of the Carpenters Union in Kalispell. He worked on the Hungry Horse Dam, Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant and for local contractors.
He always enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and camping with his family.
He was a life member of the VFW, 40-year member of the Eagles 234 and past trustee of the Epworth Methodist Church. After retiring, he found time to attend his Hospital Unit's reunions, traveling and building furniture for friends and family.
Bud and Joyce had recently celebrated their 65th Anniversary.
Bud was preceded in death by a son, Duane Cottet; his parents; his brothers, Cort, James and Percy Cottet; his stepfather, William Wilson; stepbrother, Robert Wilson; and stepsister, Alice Buck.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, at the family home; his son, Harold and Karen Cottet, of Spokane; sisters, Edna Mae and Dick Colville, and Martha and Clayton Odegaard of Lake Havasu, Ariz.; sisters-in-law, Harraite Cottet of Plains, and Betty Burton of Yuma, Ariz.; grandchildren, Debbie and Joe Fournier of Billings, and Justin and Joan Cottet of Snohomish, Wash.; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Epworth Methodist Church in Kalispell. Bud will be laid to rest at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the United Veterans of the Flathead.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Elks Veterans Memorial Fund at BPOE Box 790, Kalispell, MT 59903; or to Flathead Lake Methodist Church Camp, in care of Epworth Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1020, Kalispell, MT 59903.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Harold's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Harold's guest book.