Donald R. Siblerud, 88
Donald R. Siblerud, 88, died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, July 16, 2011, surrounded by family at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.
Born Nov. 23, 1922, to Emelia and Martin Siblerud at the family farm in Egan, Donald Robert worked, laughed and played endlessly with humility and grace until 88 years of age when he left this life, “and is standing tall and strong in heaven.”
Don was the youngest of seven children. He grew up tending the farm, clearing land and riding a horse to Egan school everyday, rain, snow or shine. He graduated from Flathead County High School 1940.
Don didn’t travel much as a youngster. In his words he would say, “Are you kidding? We were too poor to travel out of the county in those days.” As World War II came along, he went to California to work at North American Aviation building P-51s and B-24s. One year later he joined the service, enlisted in the Army Air Corps, became a B-24 pilot, and was assigned to Deming Air Force base in New Mexico to train bombardiers. He flew into the Pacific theater in his B-24, first to New Guinea, then to Okinawa, Japan, finally flying reconstruction forces into Japan prior to VJ day.
After the war, jobs were scarce, so he ventured to Alaska where he met a California beauty named Violet May, nicknamed “Jo,” while working as an electrician on warships during WWII. They met on a blind date and the number 444 became “their number” as they were engaged in Army truck no. 444. They were married Jan 17, 1948, in Anchorage.
Don and Jo came back to Kalispell in 1948, where Marcia was born the next year. Don worked at various jobs to make ends meet until 1955 when he started a career with Westinghouse in Missoula as a salesman. During this time, the family adopted Paul in 1959.
The family moved back to Kalispell in 1962 and settled at Gatiss Gardens in Creston in 1969. During this time Don was employed by the Flathead Electric Co-Op until his retirement in 1985. After retirement, Don became a full-time gardener, then a full-time grandfather when Paul and his family moved next door in 1990, enjoying his humor, veggies, popcorn and laughter.
Don was the chairman of the board at the Immanuel Lutheran Corporation, where he dedicated much energy to the idea and conclusion of building the Buffalo Hill Terrace. He and Jo have lived at the Terrace since 2006, where they have enjoyed fun and friendship with fellow residents.
He was an avid Grizzly fan, devoted husband, loving father and exceptional grandfather. Don also enjoyed bowling, coaching Little League baseball and Lions, and was a proud lifetime Lutheran with many friends at Missoula Saint Paul’s and at Bethlehem in Kalispell.
He was preceded in death by all his brothers and sisters, Harold, Maynard, Marvel, Ellsworth, Buenetta and Kenny.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jo, children, Marcia and Paul, daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, and grandchildren Rachel, Jeremy and Leah, all of Kalispell; and countless nieces and nephews.
“…why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King, let heaven ring; God reigns, let the earth be glad. This is My Father’s world!”
Funeral services for Don will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 20, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Gravrock officiating. Visitation will be from noon until 5 p.m. today, July 19, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will be in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Don’s family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Don’s tribute wall, share memories and offer condolences.