Andrew Veseth, 81, of Bigfork, passed away Aug. 1, 2008, at the Brendan House in Kalispell. Andrew was born Oct. 26, 1926, to Einar and Alida (Njastad) Veseth, in Malta.

Andy enlisted in the U.S. Army the day after graduation from Malta High School in 1946, and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper.

He attended Concordia College and the University of Montana.

In 1962, he married Aase B. Ophus Olson in Great Falls, and together they raised four children, Jacqueline, Andrea, RaNae and Arthur. Andy started his career at Buttrey Foods as a box-boy and finished as a vice president. He retired in 1986 after 35 years of service.

Andy and Aase moved to Bigfork in 1987 to enjoy retirement. They joined and became active in Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork. Andy enjoyed volunteering at the Immanuel Lutheran Home for many years and in 1999 he received the Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year award.

Andy loved to work with wood. He built beautiful cabinetry for the home and went on to learn how to turn wood on a lathe. He made fabulous candle holders and bowls out of rare pieces of wood.

He had a remarkable sense of humor, and remembered most all of the jokes he ever heard.

Andy was a wonderful husband of 46 years to Aase, a loving father and a kind, caring man. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife, Aase; four children, Jacqueline Whitehorn of Bigfork, Andrea and Jim Burke of West Virginia, RaNae and Eric Mitchell of Oregon, and Arthur and Lori Veseth of Germany; four grandchildren, Justin and Amy McKerrow, Heather and Rob Mackenstadt, Andrew and Jasna Veseth, and Kristopher Veseth; five great-grandchildren, Darby Mackenstadt, Keegan Mackenstadt, Lucas McKerrow, Sydney McKerrow and Cameron Veseth, who will be born later this month.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 5, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork.

Donations may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church; Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease research; or the charity of your choice.

Friends may post condolences to the family at www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.