Henry Thornton 'Hank' Haaven, 88

Henry Thornton "Hank" Haaven, 88, passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on Oct. 2, 1920, the son of Henry and Anna Marie (Bolin) Haaven on the family farm near Coalridge.

He was raised on the farm and attended the Haaven Country School. Henry, at the age of 17, was in the CC's at Glacier National Park. He was there six months from October 1937 until April 1938.

He entered the U.S. Army in November 1942. He served with the 88th Blue Devils in Italy. He received the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster and the Bronze Star. Sgt. Haaven was honorably discharged on Nov. 20, 1945.

He returned to the family farm and began a lifetime of farming.

The summer of 1947 he met Catherine Fresz. They were married on Feb. 9, 1949, at Riverside, Calif. They have two sons, Lawrence H. Haaven, born May 1950, and Gary R. Haaven, born November 1952.

During the years, Henry served on the church board, school board and several businesses' boards in town.

Boating was done during the summer and snowmobiling during the winter. He also earned his private pilot's license and especially enjoyed flying over the farm.

During 1974, Henry and Catherine moved to Kalispell. When he retired from farming in 1982, they enjoyed traveling the United States and worldwide.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Gordon.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Haaven; sons, Lawrence H. Haaven, and Gary R. Haaven and wife, Janice, all of Kalispell; grandsons, Chad Haaven of Lake Five, and Tyler Haaven of Broomfield, Colo.; and sisters, Miriam Holst Tadewaldt of Great Falls and Desert Hot Springs, Calif., and Margaret Siebert of Fresno, Calif.

Henry's wishes were for no services to be held. A private family memorial will be held at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery at a later date.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 3203 Third Ave. N., Suite 203, Billings, MT 59101-1945; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

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