Kenneth Wayne Strowbridge Sr., 73

Kenneth Wayne Strowbridge Sr., “was called home to heaven to forever be with the Lord” on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, after a short battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 15, 1938, in Bemidji, Minn., to Eugene “Pete” and Faye (Lee) Strowbridge. He attended schools in Bemidji where he was very involved with North Star Riders Club and won many ribbons and awards.

He was drafted into the Army in 1962 and served two years. He came to Montana in 1964 to look for work and found employment at Plum Creek Timber Company where he worked for 44 years, retiring in June of 2005.

He met Virginia Faye Lietz in 1964 and they married Nov. 7 of that year. This union was blessed with three children, a daughter Shannon, and two sons, Ken Jr., and Scott. They were married for over 47 years.

Kenneth was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved tinkering on motors. He loved spending time at his son’s family cabin on the Thompson River. He was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Johnny and Bill; sister, Lois Ward; his beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth Strowbridge; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, at the family home in Kalispell; daughter, Shannon, and husband, Bill Brittenham, of Kalispell; son, Ken Jr., and wife, Kitty Strowbridge, of Charlo; and son, Scott, and wife, Kendi Strowbridge, of Columbia Falls; his grandchildren, Amanda and John Riggs, Ryan Buck, Shawn and Tami Brittenham, Judd and Jamie Strowbridge, Ashley and Joe Vanek, Tyler Benzein, Aleysha and Curtis Wagner, and Shanae and Kassidie  Strowbridge; foster grandchildren, Brandon Vance, Lacey and Rob Smith; his great-grandchildren, Jordyn Buck, Tessa Riggs, Carter Brittenham, Austin and Emmalee Vanek, Mckenzee and Lynzee Wagner, and Ashtyn Smith; siblings, Alice and Jim Riley, Eugene “Hoosier” and Judy Strowbridge, and Anna Riley, all of the Flathead Valley, Larry and Brenda Strowbridge, Linda and Charles Weikel, Judy and Warren Green, Fred Strowbridge, Randy and Deb Strowbridge, Jim and Jodi Strowbridge, aunt, Arleen Lee, and numerous family in Bemidji.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 19, at New Covenant Church. Family is being cared for by Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com.