Hollister 'Holly' Earl Eastlund, 86
Hollister ‘Holly’ Earl Eastlund, 86
Hollister "Holly" Earl Eastlund, 86, died peacefully Nov. 26, 2014, of natural causes at Brendan House in Kalispell.
He was born Jan. 22, 1928, in Kalispell, the only child of Olof and Stella Eastlund. He grew up in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1946.
Holly married Joyce Heggen in 1950 and they recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. They had two boys, Gary and David.
After high school, Holly worked on the Hungry Horse Dam project, and later the Noxon Dam project as a laborer and truck driver. He then drove truck for LP Gas Service in Kalispell, delivering propane throughout the valley.
In 1964 Holly became one of the founders of Tri-Co Insurance, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.
Holly enjoyed all sports, both participating in and watching. He played on the Flathead Braves High School football team and continued to attend games for many years to follow. He was always there to support his boys' interests and activities, whether it was sports or Cub Scouts. Holly was an avid bowler and bowled many years with a close-knit group of friends.
After retirement, Holly and Joyce moved to Village Greens where they golfed and socialized with their many friends. They loved to travel and spent many winters in Arizona, gambling at every casino they could find on the trip down and back.
Holly was known to be quick to laugh and loved to hear a funny story, which would often bring him to tears. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. We will all miss our big Teddy bear!
Holly was preceded in death by his parents, and son David.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce; his son, Gary, and wife Ginger, of McMinnville, Ore.; grandson, Sam Eastlund, of Boise, Idaho; and granddaughter, Sarah Eastlund, of Missoula; as well as numerous relatives and friends.
Memorial services for Holly will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Epworth Methodist Church in Kalispell. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FHS Athletics, Attn. Marsha Wilson, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901, in Hollister Eastlund’s memory.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.