Dan Lundgren, 88
Dan Lundgren, 88, a resident of West Glacier and Kalispell, passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
He was born Nov. 25, 1920, in Tolna, N.D., to Dan and Marie Lundgren, and moved with his family to Sweetgrass, where he spent the early part of his life. He attended schools in Sweetgrass, Sunburst and Kevin. After high school graduation, he enrolled at Northern Montana College at Havre, where he played baseball and basketball.
With the advent of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, passed flight training in California and achieved the rank of first lieutenant. He served in North Africa and the Middle East, and received the Air Medal for his service. At war's end, he was honorably discharged, came home to Montana, and completed his education at the University of Montana in Missoula.
He entered into business partnership with his father, Dan Sr., two brothers, Conrad and Everett, and family friend, Dave Thompson, at West Glacier Mercantile, at the entrance to Glacier National Park. The business recently celebrated its 63rd year in operation, which gave Dan great pride.
On Feb. 11, 1955, Dan was married to Corinne Brayson, and together they raised three children while working and living in West Glacier and Kalispell. He was involved in community affairs, active in business until late in life, and remained deeply interested in the family business after retirement.
He appreciated being part of the Kalispell and West Glacier communities, and treasured good times with his skiing, golfing and hunting friends. Even so, he never got over his love for the Eastern Montana prairie, as it held a special place in his heart and memories.
Throughout his long struggle with Parkinson's disease, he received loving and compassionate care from the Montana Veterans Home staff. Their dedication to him will never be forgotten, and "they were angels" to Dan and his family.
Dan put his family's interests and needs first, and they felt blessed to have him as patriarch, counselor, husband and father. We will miss his quiet guidance and endless devotion.
Dan was preceded in death by his parents; and by oldest brother, Con.
He is survived by his wife, Corinne, in Kalispell; and his children, Lisa Lundgren of Seattle, Bill and Diane Lundgren of West Glacier, and Kitty and Mark Dowaliby, and their children, Shane and Emma, all of Whitefish.
He is also survived by his sister, Alida Powers, of Beaumont, Texas; brothers, Everett and wife, Margaret, of West Glacier, and Charles and wife, Alice, of Billings; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with Father John Miller as celebrant. A private burial will be held.
The family suggests memorials to the Montana Veterans Home Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 250, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.