Bennie Joe Sagen, 56

Bennie Joe Sagen, 56, passed away at his home in Whitefish on Feb. 18, 2009, surrounded by his family after a nine and a half year courageous battle with cancer. Bennie was born July 4, 1952, in Kalispell.

He graduated from Whitefish High School in 1970, then went to work for the railroad until his retirement in 2000.

He was an avid sportsman and outdoorsman.

After his retirement he volunteered at the North Valley Food Bank, spent many hours playing bridge, and enjoyed traveling with his family. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and always had a great story to tell.

He is survived by his mother, Bonnie Schlegel Winter, and husband, Bumper, of Kalispell; his wife and soulmate, Luanne, and son, Sean, at their home in Whitefish; daughter, Heather, and Marc Burnham, of Whitefish, and their children, Madison, Ayla and Langley; daughter, Heidi Sagen, and Tyce Willfinger, of Salt Lake City, and their children, Troy and Gwenith; daughter, Dallas, and Joseph DeMarco, of Ephrata, Pa.; his brother, Tom Sagen, of Whitefish; sisters, Cathy and Chris Finberg of Columbia Falls, and Connie and Mark Wagner of Colorado; as well as numerous other family members and friends.

He touched many people throughout his life and his smile will be missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Ben's life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, in Whitefish, with a reception afterward at the Moose Lodge in Whitefish.