Les Mahugh, 87

Les Mahugh, 87, passed away on March 29, 2014, surrounded by his loving family and Rev. Ron Pierce.

Les was the third son, born May 15, 1926, to Orval and Cressy Cornish Mahugh on the family farm at Creston. He lived in the Creston area all his life, and he and Mary resided more than 50 years at their current farmstead.  

Les worked at the Naval Supply Depot in Spokane while brothers Chet and Wayne served in the military during World War II. When their father died in 1945, Les returned to the family farm and became a full-time farmer at age 18.

On Sept. 2, 1950, Les and Mary Alice Hanchett were married and shared 63 happy years together. Together they had two sons, Dale and Gary.

After the war, Les combined farming with logging, log hauling and heavy equipment operating, working for Broeder Bros. and Ron Pack and Co. This work allowed him to spend many days working in his favorite place, Glacier Park. Les had many fond memories of Glacier Park including being present when Franklin D. Roosevelt visited Logan Pass in July 1933. Les was honored by being recognized at the 75th Anniversary of the Going-to-the Sun Road.  

Les worked with his brother Wayne in Kalispell and Polson at the Massey-Ferguson Farm and Industrial Equipment Dealership for several years. Later he worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 20 years, retiring on Dec. 31, 1988.

Les gave back to the Creston community by serving on the Creston Volunteer Fire Department for more than 20 years, as a member and chairman of the Creston School Board, and a 4-H leader for the Creston Go-Getters club which he himself belonged to as a youth. Most of all, Les was always willing to lend a hand to friends and neighbors. Les was proud of his abilities to witch water and located well locations for a number of friends and neighbors. Les always had a project he was working on, and particularly enjoyed spending time on the place spraying weeds, repairing fences and working in his shop.  

During retirement, Mary and Les did extensive traveling in Alaska, Yukon Territory, Canada, Mexico and the western states. They first visited Alaska with brothers Wayne and Chet and sisters-in-law Dora and Freda in 1989, and toured Alaska again with lifelong friends Ken and Pat Odegard. They also enjoyed many winters in Yuma, Ariz. where they became good friends with Nick and Kathy Evanhoff of Hamilton, and Ray and Vera Schmidt of Seeley Lake, and weekly breakfasts at Nickel Charlie’s.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers and their wives, Wayne and Dora Mahugh, and Chet and Freda Mahugh; and in-laws, Ernest and Wanita Hanchett.  

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Luann of Creston; son and daughter in-law, Dale and Linda of Butte; grandchildren, Chris Mahugh and his sons Malachi, Kelton and Christopher of Kalispell, Andrea Mahugh of Aberdeen, Scotland, Eric Mahugh of Butte, Brian Wilhelm and Todd Wilhelm of Wheatland, Wyo., and LeighBeth Merrick of Seattle; nieces, Gina Fulford and Brian, and Vonnie Day and Doug, all of Kalispell; nephews, Bryan Mahugh and Marie of Polson, Larry Mahugh and Nona of Anchorage, Alaska, Tom Mahugh and Susie of Texas, Jerry Mahugh and Lorraine of Kalispell, and Ron Mahugh and Jacquie of Yreka, Calif.; cousins, Glen and Mary Jean Mahugh of Glasgow, Morris and Helen Mahugh of Colville, Wash., and their families, and Marian Cornish of Pasadena, Texas; and many special lifetime friends. He also leaves behind “grand dogs” Tucker and Tiger.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Creston Firefighters Association, 4498 Montana 35, Kalispell, MT 59901 or a charity of choice.  

At Les’ request, private family graveside services have been held. A celebration of Les’ life will be held at the Eastside Grange in Creston from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 9. Rev. Ron Pierce, longtime family friend, will share memories and a message of comfort at 5:30 p.m. Please bring your favorite stories about Les to share with the family. Les always preferred jeans and comfortable attire. To honor him, please dress casually.

The family is especially appreciative of the caring staff of the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Not only did they take excellent care of Les, their compassion for the family was exceptional.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Les’ family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Les’ tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.