Gary Nyle Bolliger, 76

Gary Nyle Bolliger, 76, passed away on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at his home in Kalispell.

Gary was born on Oct. 2, 1935, in Sandy, Utah. He was raised and attended schools in Sandy. He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy in 1953. After high school he attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Gary married Marcia Helen Keithley in 1956, in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Gary enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1954. He was trained at Fort Ord in California before being stationed at Fort Belvoir, Va. Later, he was deployed to Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Gary worked as finance manager at Strevell-Patterson Finance Company in Twin Falls. Later, he moved to Billings to become the finance manager at Seaboard Finance Company.

Gary started his career in car sales at Selover Buick in Billings. In 1974, he moved to Kalispell where he worked as sales manager at Rygg Ford. He worked in sales  and management at various dealerships, including KAC Leasing, DePratu Ford and Montana Auto Center. Gary retired full time in 2007.

Gary was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles. He served in the Kalispell Bowling Association, coached Little League Baseball, and served as president of the Pleasant Hills Homeowners Association.

He enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing and hiking in the mountains. He owned horses for many years and enjoyed riding. Gary loved to travel and visit his family and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Noal and Evelyn Bolliger; and a sister, Diane.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia Bolliger, of Kalispell; a daughter, Kelly Collins, and husband, Greg, of Sammamish, Wash.; a son, Nyle Bolliger, and wife, Susan, of Homer, Ill.; grandchildren, Matthew Collins, Elizabeth Berntson, Patrick Quinn and Regan Fiona Bolliger; one brother, Noal; and two sisters, Lorraine and Arva.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Military honors will be done by the United Veterans of the Flathead Valley.

Gary had a love for life and enjoyed every day to its fullest. He knew no strangers, and greeted everyone with a warm smile and an open heart. He surrounded himself with his family and friends, which were the most important things to him. Gary's positive attitude and passion for life and family were contagious and will always remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

You are invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to leave a message for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family..