Earney Ervin Hartsoch, 80
Earney Ervin Hartsoch, 80, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born April 2, 1929, in Ray, N.D., to Alfred and Alice (Smalley) Hartsoch, the 12th child of 17 children. His early years were spent on the family farm in North Dakota and attending country schools in the Ray area. In 1936 the family moved to Montana.
Earney married Jenna Mae Cloud on May 28, 1949. He started and operated his own logging business in 1964. Later he went to work for the County Road Department.
On May 14, 1989, Earney married Faye Booth Sievers.
Earney was proud to be a volunteer firefighter and was instrumental in helping to establish the West Valley Fire Department. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kalispell, and a member of the Eagles since 1946.
Earney enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and fishing, snow catting and cutting grass. He spent many hours at Syke's, enjoying good conversations with good friends.
"Big Pa," as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, will be greatly missed. The family would like memorials sent to the West Valley Fire Department, 2490 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Earney was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Jenna Mae Cloud; seven brothers, John, Marion, Ike, Glen, Alfred, Raymond and Walter; and four sisters, Sylvia Kenyon, Mary LaBere, Irene Olson and Grace Kerbaugh.
He is survived by his wife, Faye Hartsoch, of Kalispell; children, Ron Hartsoch and wife Merdie, Bev Rohrman and husband Chuck, and Nancy Smith and husband Dan, Rich Sievers, Gary Sievers, Ed Sievers and wife Renee, and Donnie Sievers, all of Kalispell; five sisters, Senia Hickel of La Pine, Ore., Rachel Kump and husband John of Bigfork, Kota McManus of Great Falls, Darlene Donath of Missoula, and Blanche King and husband Don of Jacksonville, N.C.; sister-in-law, Grace Hartsoch, of Polson; 12 grandchildren, Jeff Hartsoch and wife Mary, Jeannie Harbin and husband Brad, Mike Rohrman and wife Meredith, Joe Rohrman and wife Milly, Heidi Yerkes and husband Chris, Bob Smith and wife Tawnia, Becky Bates and husband Shawn, J.C. Sievers, Michael Sievers, Max Sievers, Susan Sievers and Mary Sievers; 15 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial services for Earney will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31, at the First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 27, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Earney's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Earney's guest book.