Van Henry Gilchrist, 86

Van Henry Gilchrist, 86, passed away peacefully at his home on March 14, 2014. 

Van was born in Columbia Falls on July 11, 1927, to Ernest and Lois Gilchrist. Van, along with his two brothers William Gilchrist and Douglas Gilchrist, were raised mostly in Whitefish.

Van moved to Ketchikan, Alaska at 16 and graduated from school there. When he returned to Whitefish two years later he met a pretty red-headed gal at a dance and informed her that they were getting married. She laughed, but they were married two years later on June 19, 1948.

Van worked as a meat manager both in Montana, and in 1956 through 1967, in California markets. 

He moved to Kalispell in 1967, and bought Eastside Superette which he, his wife and son ran for several years. Eventually he became a broker in real estate in the late 1970s. This he did until his retirement.

Van was preceded in death by his parents, Ernie and Lois (Cyr) Gilchrist; wife of 53 years, Betty Louise Gilchrist; and brother, William Gilchrist. 

Van is survived by his two children, daughter Sandi Kolden and husband Richard, and son Scott Gilchrist, both of Flathead Valley. Van has five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; brother, Douglas Gilchrist of Palm Desert, Calif; and lots of nieces, nephews and cousins, too numerous to count. 

Van loved his family with all his heart and spending time with them was the most important time spent in his life. He said often his best friends were his family. Van loved the outdoors, fishing, camping, sitting around a campfire telling stories he'd heard from his father, and of course his own which he never tired of telling, as his family and friends know well. Van was a kind-hearted man, always ready to give a helping hand to those who needed it. He often spoke at meetings dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. He spent many hours talking with individual people that just needed some guidance and to know someone cared.

A message from your daughter and son-in-law, which they wrote in all his cards, “Forgive us for loving you so.”

“We will miss you dad, until we meet again.”

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.