Everett Martin Lundgren, 95

Everett Martin Lundgren passed away on Feb. 26, 2012, in Whitefish, at the age of 95.

He was born on March 10, 1917, in Bottineau, N.D., to Dan and Marie (Rothe) Lundgren. The family of seven moved to Sweet Grass where he graduated from high school. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman with an emphasis in engineering.

In 1942 he married Grace Keener from Milk River, Alberta. They had three daughters, Laurel, Laraine and Helen. During World War II, he was a successful engineer for the prestigious Boeing Company in Seattle.

In 1946 the family moved from Seattle to Belton (now West Glacier) and with his father Dan, brothers Dan Jr., and Conrad, and family friend Dave Thompson, purchased the West Glacier Mercantile and its holdings at the west entrance to Glacier National Park. The business remains in the family.

In 1948 his wife Grace passed away. In 1950 he married Margaret Coates from Milk River. They had one son, Robert.  

He was an ardent fisherman, game and professional goose hunter, and golfer. He loved Glacier National Park and trekked many miles of lake trails and mountain peaks, including several climbs to Chief Mountain and an ascent of Mount Cleveland with his son-in-law Monty Parratt.

He was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation, the Glacier Natural History Association, Ducks Unlimited and The American Bluebird Society. He was president of the West Glacier Lions Club, board member and chairman for eight years with Columbia Falls School District No. 6 and a third degree Mason.

Everett was preceded in death by his parents, Dan Sr., and Marie; first wife, Grace, brothers, Conrad and Dan Jr.; and son-in-law, Park "Monty" Parratt.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Whitefish; brother, Charles, and Alice, of Billings; sister, Alida Lundgren Powers, of Beaumont, Texas; daughters, Laurel Lundgren Parratt of Marysville, Wash., Laraine Lundgren of Missoula, and Helen Lundgren of Tucson, Ariz.; son, Robert, and Nancy Lundgren, of West Glacier; grandchildren, Kimberly and Russell Schneider of Whitefish, Kristin Parratt of Marysville, Brandon Ketchum, Sarah Ketchum and Ursula Ketchum of Tucson, and Maria Lundgren and Anna Lundgren of West Glacier; and great-grandchildren, Casey and Josie Schneider of Whitefish, and Ashley and Joshua Ketchum of Tucson.

A celebration of life for Everett Lundgren will be held early summer 2012, when the bluebirds return.

Donations in his memory may be given to ALERT Helicopter, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901; or A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, 9185 E. Kenyon Ave. Suite 230, Denver, CO 80237.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Everett’s tribute wall.