Kenneth LeRoy Hotz, 91

Kenneth LeRoy Hotz, 91, passed away in Whitefish on May 2, 2012.

He was born, the seventh of nine children, on March 24, 1921, in Pegosa Springs, Colo., to Marion and Elizabeth (Hilliker) Hotz.

Ken graduated from high school in 1939 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Ken joined the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served from 1940 until retiring as a master sergeant in 1963. He served as a logistics officer at Whitman Air Force Base in Knobnoster, Mo., and at the Strategic Air Command. During his service, Ken received many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Meritorious Service Medal.

He married LaWanda B. Miner on March 24, 1949, in Rapid City, S.D.

Ken went to work for Stoltz Lumber from 1964 until retiring in 1985.

He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to visit family and friends and see the sites. He had been to every state but New Jersey, Ohio and Delaware. He loved his family, playing cribbage and pinochle, and was an outdoor enthusiast, spending lots of time fishing, hiking and hunting.

Ken was a member of the U.S. Air Force Sergeants Association and the Columbia Falls Senior Center.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Marion; mother, Elizabeth; sister, Goldie Anderson; sister, Nellie Walter; brother, William Hotz; brother, Thomas Hotz; brother, Robert Hotz; sister, Murriel Hotz; and brother, Bert Hotz.

He is survived by his wife, LaWanda Hotz, of Columbia Falls; daughter, Debora Hall, of Columbia Falls; daughter, Anita Floden, and husband, John, of Stilwell, Kan.; son, Kenneth Hotz, of Dayton, Minn.; daughter, Pamela Gatto, and husband, Phil, of Buckley, Wash.; son, Alan Hotz, of Aurora, Colo.; sister, Minnie Johnson, of Westminster, Colo.; 21 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

No services will be held at this time. A private service for family and friends is being planned for a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made in Kenneth’s name to Montana Veteran’s Home, 400 Veterans Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912; or North Valley Senior Center, P.O. Box 676, 205 Nucleus Ave., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Columbia Mortuary has been entrusted with Kenneth’s arrangements.

You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Kenneth’s tribute wall.