Steven D. LeProwse, 64

Steven D. LeProwse, 64, of Big Arm, passed away on Feb. 26, 2011, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. 

Steve was born on Feb. 18, 1947, in Grangeville, Idaho, to Darrell and Norma Jean Nitz Farris. Norma later remarried Robert E. LeProwse of Missoula, who adopted Steve as his own son.

He grew up in Red River, Idaho, and attended schools in Elk City, Anaconda and Missoula. He was active in Boy Scouts of America and was an Eagle Scout. He was a member of the last graduating class at Missoula County High School in 1965. Steve attended the University of Montana before serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged from the military, Steve returned to UM to complete his Bachelor of Arts degree in business in 1972. He later earned his Master of Business Administration degree at Seattle University in 1984.

Steve met the love of his life, Mary Kathryn Dryden, at Blue Bay on Flathead Lake. They were married on Aug. 30, 1969, in Missoula. They moved to Seattle in 1972, where they raised their three boys and lived for 34 years.

Steve started and ended his career at Boeing in Seattle. When they retired in 2006, Steve and Mary Kathryn fulfilled their dream when they moved back home to Flathead Lake near Big Arm.

Steve was passionate about sports — he loved to coach soccer, umpire Little League and volunteer at swim meets. He dedicated many hours to the Federal Way Youth Soccer Association and loved every minute of it. He was an avid reader who had many interests. He loved boating and jet skiing on Flathead Lake, photography, stain and fusion glass. He enjoyed the outdoors, woodworking and restoring classic cars.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Norma LeProwse; his biological father, Darrell Farris; a niece who died as an infant, Brooke; and a great-niece, Miley.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Kathryn, of Big Arm; and three sons and their families, Shawn and Becca, Ryan and Becky, and Kelly and Cherisse of Seattle; grandchildren, Megan, Mathew and Major; sisters and their families, Linda and Randy Lynn of Davenport, Wash., and Rita and Nate Barber of Columbia Falls; brother and his family, Conrad and Jenise of Yelm, Wash.; and his father, Robert E. LeProwse.

His family loved Steve very much and will miss him dearly. Please come celebrate his life with family and friends; all are welcome. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson, with reception to follow. A buffet dinner will be held at 5 p.m. at the Idle Spur in neighboring Dayton.

Donations can be made to the Steve LeProwse Memorial Fund at the Whitefish Credit Union to continue supporting causes he cherished. Condolences may be sent to the family at P.O. Box 206, Big Arm, MT 59910, or at www.groganfuneralhome.com.