Daniel John Korn Jr., 84

Daniel John Korn Jr. passed away Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell after spending all but five days in recent months at his family home in Kalispell. Dan Jr. was born in Kalispell July 19, 1925, the eldest son of Daniel John Korn Sr. and Flora Hammitt Korn. He attended Kalispell schools, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1943. During World War II he served as a staff sergeant with the U.S. Army 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division as they fought their way east of Kulm, Germany toward Berlin and received the Purple Heart during that campaign. Following his discharge from the U.S. Army, he attended the then Montana State University at Missoula and graduated in business administration. Dan played as a tight end for the Grizzly football team, joined Sigma Nu fraternity, drove his enviable dream boat (a light green Buick convertible with red leather interior which inadvertently led him to his career occupation), and found the love of his life, Marilynne Kitto. They were married Aug. 26, 1950. Following college Dan Jr. worked for Suhr Buick in Great Falls, then joined Johns Buick in Kalispell and eventually purchased the business to become Korn Buick for the following 35 years. Dan earned the Montana Automobile Dealers Association award as the Car Dealer of the Year in 1988 and also received national recognition with the Time Magazine s Quality Dealer Award in 1989. Both awards recognized his business reputation in the community and his leadership qualities within his automotive peers. Dan invested himself in this community in other ways as well. He faithfully served as a director of the Salvation Army for some 40 years, he served several terms as a director of First Interstate Bank, he was a 55-year member of Rotary International and Kalispell Rotary s president in 1957, and later president of the Rotary Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park Association. He actively participated in the Flathead s various youth activity programs, both within school and outside school, and more recently received the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce Great Chief Award in 2001, recognizing his admirable character traits and the body of his community service. On a state level, he was very active in the promotion of Grizzly athletics at the U of M, and having earned his Eagle Scout award as a youth, he continued to serve the Boy Scouts of America in various community and state capacities all of his adult life and was recognized for that service with the Silver Beaver Award in 2002. Dan has always been a gentleman s gentleman. His family, friends, and even his acquaintances were always recognized by name and treated as individuals that merited both his personal acknowledgement and attention. Perhaps the hallmark of Dan s life, both public and private, was his commitment to longtime quality relationships that included integrity, trustworthiness, responsibility, humor, and doing what was in the best interest of others. His belief in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord and his worship and prayer life both guided and supported this attitude. Dan Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marilynne; and his sister, Kay Walterskirchen. He is survived by his children, Danlynne and husband, Kenneth Smith, Kimberly and husband, Steve Morgan, Lyndan and husband, Gene Langstaff, and Dan D.J. Korn; also, 15 grandchildren, Erin and husband, Greg Doyon, Amy and husband, William Jackson, Laura Smith, Kenneth Smith Jr., Jason Morgan and wife, Brechta, Stephanie Morgan and fiance, Luke Thompson, Daniel Langstaff, Katie Langstaff, Kristen Langstaff, Austin Langstaff, Karissa Langstaff, Kaleigh Langstaff, Jordan Korn, Aubrey Korn, and Braydan Korn; and great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Doyon, Hannah Doyon, Emilia Doyon, Elizabeth Doyon, Ean Morgan, and Selah Morgan. Also surviving are Dan s brother, Dr. James Korn, and wife, Norah; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a great host of very close friends. The void of Dan s wonderful influence, guidance and support will be helped by wonderful family memories and close contact with all his longtime friends. The family suggests memorial contributions in Dan s name be sent to Rotary International Foundation, c/o Rotary, P.O. Box 481, Kalispell, MT 59903; Salvation Army, P.O. Box 8357, Kalispell, MT 59904; University of Montana Grizzly Athletics, c/o Adams Event Center, Missoula, MT 59812; or Montana Council No. 315, Boy Scouts of America, 820 17th Ave. S., Great Falls, MT 59405. Condolences may be mailed to 1125 First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901. Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Christian Center in Kalispell. A reception at the church will follow the service. Private family inurnment will be held later in the family plot at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.