Paul Reuben Bolken, 71

Paul Reuben Bolken, 71, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on Jan. 25, 1939, in Arnegard, N.D., to Harold and Dagny (Anderson) Bolken. Paul began his early education in Arnegard before moving with his family to Springfield, Ore., in 1952. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1958 and embarked on a musical career. He traveled with many bands and while playing with one Western band in Dunkirk, he met Sue Howell. The couple married on Oct. 27, 1963 in Shelby. Moving back to Oregon, Paul and Sue began their family, while Paul worked in various construction jobs. Paul was very active in community organizations such as the Moose Lodge, Elks, Sons of Norway and the Kalispell Lions Club. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Shepherds of the Hills Lutheran Church in Sisters, Ore. Paul was a woodworker and musician, he loved driving go-carts and snowcats, and was very involved in geneology. He was very proud of the Bolken family tree he had traced back to the 1400s. After working as a building/fire inspector for the City of Columbia Falls, Paul was medically retired. He and Sue enjoyed traveling in their retirement around the country to visit family and friends. They would winter in Arizona and summer both in the Flathead Valley and North Dakota. Paul was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; and a nephew, Hans. He is survived by his wife, Sue Bolken, of Whitefish; one daughter, Synnove Bolken, of Puyallup, Wash.; two sons, Anthony Bolken and Paul Kjell Bolken, both of Whitefish; three brothers, Olaf and Luther Bolken, both of Oregon, and Noland Bolken of Georgia; two sisters, Melody Hunsburger of Washington, and Kaja Malouf of Australia; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services for Paul will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Debra Abbott of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Paul's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Paul's tribute wall and offer condolences.