Daniel L. Garding, 52

Daniel L. Garding, 52, passed away at his Kalispell residence on Sunday Aug. 31, 2008. Daniel was born in Kalispell on April 22, 1956, to Erwin and Eleanor Garding. He lived his entire life in Kalispell, graduating from Flathead High School in 1974, and working at various jobs in the area.

For the last 30 years, Dani has walked the life of darkness and health issues from diabetes, including losing his sight and his kidney. He received a kidney transplant 13 years ago but his sight could never be repaired. He never complained that life wasn't fair to him, only that it needed to be fixed.

Dani wanted to be independent and he was. If you saw the young man and his white cane around the Kalispell downtown area, you knew he would know you if you spoke; your voice would make it known to him who you were.

He loved his friends and fellow Sykes coffee drinkers and his Eagles friends, and his neighbors at the Elms Apartments where he lived.

His smile and his stories which he remembered so well will be missed by many who had the great pleasure of knowing Dan Garding.

Dani was preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Eleanor Garding; sisters, Sue Manley and JoAnn Beck; sister-in-law, Gail Garding; and brothers-in-law, Ray Manley and Doug Mason.

He is survived by his sister, Sandi Mason, of Colville, Wash.; and brother, Donald Garding, of Whitefish; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and cousins also survive.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with a luncheon following at the Eagles Lodge.

Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity or to the Kidney Center in Kalispell.

Friends are encouraged to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.