George Edgar Bramlet, 85

George Edgar Bramlet, 85, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, as a result of a stroke.

He was born on Feb. 13, 1927, in Lacombe, Alberta, to Minnie and Nathan Bramlet. The family moved to the Wallowa Valley area in Oregon when he was a young child and this is where he grew up.

He was drafted into the Army in 1945, serving until 1948; his primary duty station was in Anchorage, Alaska. After leaving the Army, he moved to the Spokane area.

In 1957 he was united in marriage to Kathryne Ileane Leonard in Airway Heights, Wash., whom he was married to for over 40 years, until her death in August 2001.

After working 35 years at Spokane Seed Company in Spokane, George retired and spent time traveling with his wife Kathy. They spent their winters in California where they met wonderful people of whom they often spoke kindly. They would return to a favorite fishing lake in Washington to spend their summers. Later they moved to Whitefish to be closer to their son, daughter-in-law and grandkids. George, at the age of 70, spent a year helping his son and daughter-in-law build their home in Somers.

George will be remembered as an exceedingly kind, patient and loving man. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He loved to laugh, fish, hunt, play cards and be with his family. He was a quiet man but when he had something to say people would stop to listen. He was a great provider and loving husband, father and grandfather. His family was his pride and joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Kathy; sisters, Ellen and Martha; and his brother, Bud.

George leaves behind his son, Robert D. Bramlet, daughter-in- law Julie A. Bramlet, and his grandchildren, William, age 12, Alison, age 11, and John, age 7, who live in Somers. His daughter, Susan K. Bramlet, now resides in Gettysburg, Pa. George also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Ron Leonard, and his wife, Dorothy, who reside in Somers; and his youngest brother, Johnny.

No official service will be held at this time. The family will make arrangements to distribute his ashes at a later date in Washington state where his wife's ashes were laid.

A memorial food donation has been established by the wishes of his son and daughter through friends of the U.S. Coast Guard in Arlington, Va., for homeless veterans. Growing up in the early 1900s, times were hard, and during his childhood, food was scarce. George worked very hard to provide for his family and ensured that there was never a lack of food in the house, something he took great pride in. He made sure that there was never a hungry belly in the house. If you would like to donate anything to the homeless vet's fund in his name, please contact his daughter Susan Bramlet at (571)643-4776.

The family would like to thank Officer John Underwood and the medical staff at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, and especially three special nurses in the ICU. Your care and kindness to George and his family meant so much.

“Dad, we will miss you immensely. There are not enough words to encompass 85 years of your life, but you will be remembered by all who have had the honor to have met you. There are so many wonderful stories and a lot of smiles to be remembered because of you.

Dearest Dad, devoted husband, kind friend and man of quiet strength — you will be missed. May you rest in peace knowing that you gave everything that you never had to your children. We love you.”