Wayne S. Sakariason

Wayne S. Sakariason, a lifelong resident of Kalispell, died at home Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, of natural causes. Wayne was born July 7, 1930, to William and Myrtle Sakariason. He was the eldest of their three children. At 14 he struck out on his own, hitchhiking to Seattle with in his pocket. He talked the owner of a boarding house into postponing the collection of his rent for one week, found a job and acquired work habits and business skills that served him a lifetime. Wayne worked for Mountain Tractor for 19 years and then purchased the Kalispell Mountain Tractor dealership, which he ran for six more years. He sold that business and started Valley Equipment RV Sales in Evergreen, which gave him the opportunity to pass on his work ethic to his teenage son, who worked with him for several years. He ran Valley Equipment for 25 years until he sold out and retired in 1996. While on a sales call for Mountain Tractor to Montana Plywood in Whitefish, Wayne was introduced to a pretty, young secretary in their office. Her name was Amanda Mattson, and he said the second he set eyes on her, he knew she was the one for him but it took a little longer to convince her. They were married for 37 happy years, raising their two children, attending antique auctions and scouring antique shops across the United States, and turning their home and property on Woodland Hill into a showplace. It was there they welcomed their grandson, Dakota, who lived with them and brought much love and laughter into their lives. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Roger Sakariason (formerly of Kalispell), and Marvin Sakariason (formerly of Yuma, Ariz.); his beloved wife, Amanda Sakariason; and his favorite aunt, Dagney Nelson (formerly of Kalispell). He is survived by his son, Terry Sakariason, and wife, Joy; daughter, Sheri Sakariason, and number one grandson, Dakota Sakariason, and granddaughter, Kendall, and daughters, Charlene, Denise and Susan, all of Kalispell. Patsy Wagner, his loving companion of the last four years, his significant other, as he teasingly called her, also survives him at their home in Kalispell. In accordance with his wishes, there will be no public services. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be laid to rest next to his wife, Amanda, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.