Kyle Warren Winter, 22

Kyle Warren Winter was born in Kalispell on June 7, 1990, to Randy and Mary Winter. Kyle attended Evergreen Elementary School, Evergreen Junior High, and graduated from Flathead High School in June 2008.

Kyle was active in organized sports during his school years, including football and basketball. He was a defensive end on the Flathead Braves football team for three years, where he received the “Most Improved Player” award his senior year and a football scholarship to Western Montana University. He worked various part-time jobs in Kalispell while in high school.

Upon graduation from high school, Kyle attended Western Montana University in Dillon, for one year, red-shirting on the Western Bulldog football team. The summer following his freshman year he worked as a crew member on river float trips on the Salmon River in Idaho. He then returned to Kalispell to help support his family during a difficult time and worked at Huckleberry Haven for about two years, before leaving to work in the oil fields of North Dakota.

The great outdoors and extreme sports were Kyle's passion. He loved living in the Flathead Valley because it allowed him to participate in his favorite activities — hunting, fishing, water sports, snowboarding, mountain biking and spending time at Poopendyke, the family's place in the woods.

Whatever he did, he did it with passion and never ending enthusiasm.

Kyle's easy nature, infectious smile and his teasing nature made him easy to be liked. He could walk into a room of strangers and walk out with a room full of new friends. He was always the first one to volunteer to help friends and strangers alike.

It has been said that we feel that what we do is but a drop in the ocean, yet the ocean would be less full because of that missing drop. His drop in the ocean made a lasting impression on all who knew him. Kyle touched many and was loved by all.

Sadly, Kyle passed away Jan. 31, 2013, as a result of injuries suffered in an accident on an oil drilling platform in North Dakota. Kyle enjoyed the challenge of the work he did in the oil field. It allowed him a flexible schedule to return to the Flathead to visit friends and relatives and to engage in his favorite activities on a regular basis. He was just beginning to define his life and achieve his goals.

Kyle is survived by his parents, Randy and Mary Winter, of Kalispell; his sister, Justine Winter, of Billings; his uncle, Myron, and Char Sherman, of Kalispell; his aunts, Roberta Winter, and Juanita and Ron Rash, all of Kalispell, and Kris and Don Hanley of Kirkland, Wash.; cousins Jason and Sarah Sherman of Albuquerque, N.M., Blake Sherman of Brazil, Keith and Cindy Rash of Waukee, Iowa, Kayleen and Tony Kohler, and Kristi and A.J. Willits, all of Kalispell, Janelle and Les Coughran of Snoqualmie, Wash., and Brenda Hanley of Lewiston, Idaho; a large extended family, and many lifelong friends and new friends.

Kyle's family is so thankful for the 22 years we had with him. His dimpled grin and positive outlook on life will be greatly missed by so many.

The memorial service to celebrate Kyle's life is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Easthaven Baptist Church, Kalispell. The family encourages friends and family to share memories of Kyle at the memorial.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Flathead High School Scholarship Fund in the name of Kyle Winter, c/o Career Center, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; Evergreen School Fitness Team, 18 West Evergreen Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901; also the Kyle W. Winter Memorial Fund has been established at Wells Fargo Bank, 2350 U.S. Highway 93 North, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Kyle's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Kyle's tribute wall.