Howard Weisz, 88

Howard Weisz, 88, “has been called to the arms of his loving Father.” He passed away in his home in the arms of his loving wife of 65 years, Val Weisz. He was surrounded by his family as he peacefully passed on, from old age, “to do the service of the Lord he loved so much.”

Howard was born in Kalispell on Oct. 2, 1924, to Jake and Agnes Weisz. He attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School, was an altar boy, and graduated from Flathead County High School.

He served in the U.S. Army from January of 1945 until November of 1946, where he was stationed at Kobe, Japan.

He returned to Kalispell where he married Valentine Steenhout of Detroit. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Jake, as he took a job with Flathead County as a bridge builder of the bridges on the Flathead River. He also followed his father and took up farming on his land adjacent to his parents on LaSalle Road. Later he worked at Plum Creek as a millwright at the Evergreen plant. At the same time in 1972, he built Big Sky Speedway, which the family operated for several years.

The last 33 years of his life he was retired and enjoyed spending in winters in Yuma, Ariz., where he enjoyed so many wonderful friends and his daughter. The summers were spent in Kalispell where he enjoyed his huge garden, driving for Meals On Wheels, and time with family and friends. As he always said, “He had the best of both worlds,” as he got to be with his daughter in southern California in the Yuma winters, and summers spending time with his son, grandson, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren in Kalispell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Jake Weisz; sisters, Patricia Ramsey, Helen Gunderson, Violet McDonald and Mary Byrnes; and brother, Roy Weisz. 

He is survived by this wife of 65 years, Valentine; his daughter, Janice; son, Steve; grandson, David Weisz and his family; grandson, Don Fairchild of Knoxville, Tenn., and family; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; and many longtime friends.

Howard’s spirit will live on in all who loved him and he will never be forgotten.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, with a rosary at 7 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Services will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Interment will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens following the service.

Garden City Funeral Home in Missoula is assisting the family with arrangements.