Whitefish man drowns in Missouri River

by The Associated Press and The Daily Inter Lake
| June 23, 2014 9:55 AM

GREAT FALLS — A Whitefish man has drowned while fishing along the Missouri River.

The Cascade County Sheriff’s Office says two fishermen discovered the body of 41-year-old Cleve Malmstrom south of Cascade on Friday. Authorities believe he slipped and fell into the river. He was wearing waders but not a life jacket.

Malmstrom’s raft was found tied up along the shore.

One of Malmstrom’s dogs was recovered but a chocolate Labrador named Deuce ran off when approached by emergency personnel. Anyone who locates the dog is asked to contact the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office.

Malmstrom, a native of Billings, graduated from Helena High School in 1990 and went on to play football for three years for the University of Montana Grizzlies.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena, with a reception immediately following the memorial service in the social center of the funeral home.

According to the Great Falls Tribune, Malmstrom was a distant relative of Col. Einar Malmstrom, the namesake of Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls.