Henry 'Hank' Walter Burrows, 87

Hank Burrows died Friday, April 1, 2011, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

Hank was born on March 18, 1924, in Choteau, to Alfred and Edith Burrows. He spent most of his childhood on the family’s homestead in Choteau.

In 1958 Hank moved to the Flathead, and in 1961 married Joan Mattson. They had a large family, as Hank already had five children and Joan two, when they were married.  Then together they had four more children. Hank and Joan recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Hank was a talented, hard worker. He started out as a rancher, then he owned a sawmill. Also, he was a sawyer for many years before working at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant. Being a skilled carpenter, he then decided to work for himself. Known as “Handy Hank,” he ran Burrows Construction until he retired.

Hank loved the outdoors. He spent many wonderful weekends camping and fishing with his family. As hobbies he enjoyed traveling, prospecting, blacksmithing, riding horses and gardening. Hank was known for always being busy fixing something or building something new. It seemed that anything he put his mind to he could accomplish, and yet he was as humble and down-to-earth as could be.

In November 1959, Hank was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His study of the Bible later in his life gave him a strong faith in God’s promises, including the hope of a resurrection to a paradise earth. This hope sustained him through ill health during the last years of his life. He spent many hours talking with his neighbors in the valley about what the Bible teaches. He served faithfully with his congregation and especially enjoyed being able to help build the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located on Woodland Avenue.

Hank is survived by his wife, Joan; and their children, Nora Christianson, Ann Parker and husband Don, Connie Wellenstein, Wanda Moodie, Walter Burrows and wife Grace, Steve Shelley and wife Martha, Denise Harris and husband Kevin, Dan Burrows and wife Kristi, Mike Burrows and wife Teri, Matt Burrows, and Andy Burrows. He is also survived by his brother, James Burrows, and wife, Helen; 24 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Edith Burrows; his brother, Chuck Burrows; his sister, Irene; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Hank will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1414 Woodland Avenue, Kalispell, with Cal Marshall officiating. It will be followed by a brunch at the fairgrounds.