Michael Eugene Dougherty, 83
Michael Eugene Dougherty, 83
Michael Eugene Dougherty, 83, of Columbia Falls passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
Mike was born Feb. 5, 1928, in Gary, S.D., to Guy and Gertrude Dougherty. He was the youngest of five children. The family settled in Bluegrass, Minn., and he completed his high school education in Wadena, Minn.
After serving his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he continued his education at the Dunwoody Technical Institution in Minneapolis. He specialized as a newspaper typesetter. After completing his education, he returned to Wadena and worked for the local newspaper. There he met and was united in marriage to Arvilla Chase on Sept. 11, 1953, at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Bluegrass. For a short time, they lived in Wolfpoint, Mont., and Milbank, S.D., before moving back to Wadena, where they raised their family of 10 children.
In 1976, they moved to Columbia Falls, where Mike was employed by the Columbia Falls School District as a maintenance worker. He retired in 1991. He enjoyed many hobbies, including woodcarving, gardening, hunting, reading and spending time with friends. His greatest joy was the time he spent with his family. Mike was a wonderful, soft-spoken man and loving husband, father and grandfather. He touched the lives of many people and will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arvilla; son, Mike; and two sisters, Anna Rose Dougherty and Babe (Veronica) Keimig.
Mike is survived by his children, Jim Dougherty of Bigfork, Vicky Finck and Gene of Verndale, Minn., Denise Ohs and Gary of Whitefish, Gregg Dougherty and Davina of St. Ignatius, and Patti Beach, Doug Dougherty and Conni, Pam Roesner and Larry, Becky West and Winfield, and Tracy Dougherty, all of Columbia Falls; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his sisters, Margaret Kern and Kay Budig.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, where he was a member, with a viewing that will begin at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. Hubert’s Catholic Cemetery in Bluegrass.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.