Walter Victor Sundelius, 74

Walter Victor Sundelius, 74, of Kalispell, 'went to fly with the angels' on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born March 6, 1934, to Victor and Emma (Tetrault) Sundelius.

He graduated from Flathead High School in 1952. Walter worked for the U.S. Forest Service during and after high school. After a year of college in Missoula, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1954.

Walter married Lona Hanson in 1956 and had five children. They later divorced.

Walter's Air Force career began in airborne radio and eventually moved into missile guidance systems. Many duty stations took him around the world until he was finally stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

In 1971, he married Lynn Siebel in Great Falls. Walter retired from active duty in 1974.

After retiring, Walter and Lynn moved back to the Flathead Valley and built a home and ranch in the Creston area. They raised registered Simmental cattle, AQHA registered quarter horses and many other small animals.

In 1977, they adopted Matthew David and in 1980, adopted Andrew Michael. The family enjoyed spending time at the Ashley Lake cabin, riding horses and many weekends skiing at the Big Mountain.

Walter worked for Mild Fence Co. until a knee injury forced him to stop. In 1988, he volunteered to drive the school bus for Trinity Lutheran School when needed. Twenty years later, he was still driving as a permanent fixture with the school. He was very dedicated to his Lord and his church.

Walter loved hunting, fishing, and his favorite pastime, riding his motorcycle. The long Flathead winters only made the itch to ride worse every year. He made a point to have the motorcycle out for its first ride by his birthday every March.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Sundelius, at the family home in Kalispell; sons, Walter Jr. of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Matthew and Andrew, both of Kalispell; daughters, Deborah, of Latham, N.Y., Laura of Waterton, N.Y., Loretta of Potsdam, N.Y., and Linda of Schenectady, N.Y.; along with 10 grandchildren; and two sisters, Florine Ficken and Henry, and Emma Jane Wutke and Dennis, all of Kalispell.

Memorial services for Walter will be at 2 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Darold Reiner of the Church at Creston-Lutheran officiating. A reception will be immediately afterward in the church fellowship hall. Visitation for Walter was held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. A private burial took place.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Trinity Lutheran School, 495 Fifth Ave. W.N., Kalispell, MT 59901, or the Church at Creston-Lutheran, Creston Road and Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Walter's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Walter's guest book.