Melvin 'Mel' Anthony Desch, 91

Melvin "Mel" Anthony Desch, a longtime Kalispell resident, passed away Monday, July 27, 2009, after a short stay at Heritage Place. Mel was born on a homestead on Sunny Slope west of Polson on Nov. 19, 1917, the fourth child born to Fredrick and Marian (Myers' Desch, who had arrived in the Flathead Valley earlier that spring from Dayton, Ohio.

He attended Sunny Slope School through eighth grade. He worked on the family ranch, as well as worked for other ranchers in the Polson area until 1948 when he moved to Kalispell. One of his favorite stories was when he helped drive the last cattle off of Wild Horse Island. The cattle were wild and they had to load them on a boat for the trip to Polson. When they unloaded at Polson, the cattle scattered and ran down Main Street, creating all kinds of havoc.

While in Kalispell, he worked for the City of Kalispell Street Department, several contractors and was a longtime employee of Harp Line Construction from which he retired. After retiring, they enjoyed wintering in Yuma, Ariz., for over 20 years.

He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and recently received his 55-year pin. He also was a 55-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles as well as a member of the Moose Lodge.

Mel married Marjorie "Marge" Lilja McGihon and to that union was born a son, Robert M. Desch, "Robbie." Melvin was the proud stepfather to Marge's children, Ron and Karen McGihon.

Mel and Marge operated a Christmas tree and wreath business from their home south of Flathead High School for 45 years, serving generations of Kalispell residents with trees from their property west of Kalispell. He cut and sold trees through last Christmas, at age 91.

Mel left the farm, but the farm never left him. He was an excellent gardener, producing bumper crops of vegetables every year. Any time he entered his produce in the fair, he would take first place. He was a great hunter and the freezer was always full of wild game. Most of all, Mel liked to work, and those that knew him best will always remember the strong man that could work the best of them into the ground.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Fred Desch; and sisters, Virginia Zimmerman, Catherine Skogen and Marian Johnson.

He is survived by his wife, Marge Desch, of Kalispell; one brother, Roy Desch, of Kalispell; son, Robbie Desch, and wife, Michelle, of Spokane; son, Ron McGihon, and wife, Norma, of Chantilly, Va.; daughter, Karen McGihon, of Boulder; a granddaughter, Shaele Wood, of Charlottesville, Va.; and grandson, Scott McGihon, and wife, Melissa, of Abbotsford, British Columbia; as well as three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today, Aug. 1, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will follow services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Eagles Auxiliary 234, 37 First St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901.

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

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.