Larry Jon Love, 71

Larry Jon Love, 71, passed away Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, at his home in Kalispell.

He was born Oct. 12, 1940, in Hinckley, Utah, to Robert Vernon and Bertha Musetta (Western) Love. Larry grew up and received his early education in Hinckley. His father died when he was 12 and later his mother remarried George Barton and the family moved to Midvale, Utah. Larry graduated from Jordon High School in 1958.

After high school he moved to Tucson, Calif., and went to one year of college. In 1959 he married LonaKaye Wilcox and they had two children, Kelly Jon and Jamie Lynn. They divorced and he married Glenda Brimhall and had three children, Michael Glade, Kimberly and Larry Alan. They lived in Salt Lake City until about 1969 when the family moved to the Flathead Valley.  They divorced.

Larry met Marie Reed VanderBeek in 1988 and they were married in 1993 in the Logan Temple in Utah. Marie had seven children, giving them a wonderful family of 12 children, which they both loved very much. Family was always very important to Larry and he worked hard to provide and care for them. He loved having his family together and it gave him great pleasure as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. He always had a warm smile and hug for each of them and was anxious to hear about their lives.

Larry had many talents. He was an excellent and honest mechanic which he learned from his father and brother Dale. He was a pots man at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant from 1970 to 1994, retiring with 24 years of service. 

Larry enjoyed the outdoors, doing hunting, fishing, boating and skiing. He was on a bowling league for many years. He had a love for music of all kinds, from opera to country-western, and he was in many church choirs. He also enjoyed dancing and was a very graceful dancer. He was a member of square dance, round dance and line dance clubs.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony of the Gospel. He loved the Lord and lived a life of service, always willing to help wherever he was needed.

Larry was preceded in death by his father, Vernon Love; stepfather, George Barton; a sister, Marilyn, at age 6; and a stepson, Michael VanderBeek, in 2010.

He is survived by a caring and loving wife, Marie Love, of Kalispell; 11 children, Kelly Love and wife Chris of Grand Junction, Colo., Jamie Martinez and husband Rudy of Salt Lake City, Michael Love and Kim Flagg, both of Kalispell, Alan Love and wife Susie of Manhattan, Marnie Tinker and husband Brad of Gilbert, Ariz., Cindy VanderBeek of Gilbert, Ariz., Rob VanderBeek and Cheryl of Las Vegas, Eric VanderBeek and wife Chiara of Lewistown, Jason VanderBeek and wife Leslie of Phoenix, and Larry Cowgill of Deer Lodge; his mother, Bertha Barton, of Midvale, Utah; two brothers, Dale Love and wife Lola of Midvale, and Steven Love and wife Nancy of Scottsdale, Ariz.; 30 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Camille Gloschat of Kalispell, JoAnn Hudson and husband Mark of Whitefish, and Verdella Grout and husband Richard of Driggs, Idaho; three brothers-in-law, Jim Reed and wife Velma of Burley, Idaho, Frank Reed and wife Claudia of Tooele, Utah, and Fred Gloschat of Bigfork; and those he considered a part of his family, Jolyn Pabst, Geni Barnett, Cathleen Lane, Windianne, Mathew and Andrew Howk; along with many other extended family.

Funeral services for Larry Love will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bigfork Ward, at 121 Crestwood Drive, Bigfork, with burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. There will be visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the church, with the family present and one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Larry's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Larry's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.