Timothy Andrew Veyna, 53

Timothy Andrew Veyna, 53, died in Libby on Feb. 29, 2012, of natural causes.

Tim was born in Arcadia, Calif., in 1959.  He attended elementary and junior high school in Chino, Calif., before moving to Montana with his family in 1972, where they operated a resort on Swan Lake. Tim attended Bigfork High School and was active in football, ski club, student council and high school rodeo. He was also a member of the Flathead Lakers Baseball team in Kalispell. After graduation Tim traveled the country installing commercial restaurant kitchens. He later created his own company that he successfully ran with the help of his family.

Pursuing his lifelong love of all things cowboy, Tim became a team roper and bull rider. Tim was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to camp out under the stars and pack into the South Fork to hunt. Tim was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. As a lineman, he loved nothing more than to chase a good storm and help people in need. Tim returned to Montana several years ago to be closer to family and his children, whom he dearly loved.

Tim is survived by his mother, Penny Miller of Yellow Bay; father, Peter Veyna and wife, Susan, of Bigfork; and children, Amber Veyna of Somers, and Timothy Veyna of Kalispell. Surviving siblings include Terri Swenson of Surprise, Ariz., Lynn and Keith Wadley of Ketchikan, Alaska, Lisa and Lee Lykins of Kalispell, Kevin and Austina Veyna of Kalispell, Keith and Heidi Veyna of Denver, and Clyde Athey Veyna of San Jacinto, Calif. He also leaves behind 14 nieces and nephews; and aunts, uncles, cousins and numerous dear friends who played very important roles in his life.

Tim's ashes will be interred at the Bigfork Community Cemetery and Swan View Memorial Gardens in a private ceremony. The family invites you to join them for an evening of remembrance and celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at the Bigfork Senior Center located on Commerce Street.