Rodney Wellen, 77

Rodney Wellen, 77, formally of Columbia Falls, “finished up his work here” on April 29, 2014.

He is survived by his siblings, Kenny Wellen, Patty Vanetta, LuAnne Ketcherside, Arlen Sjaaheim and Anne Marie Sonsteng; his daughters, Ronette Goodsell and husband Wade of Columbia Falls, and Taunya Goodsell and her husband Hal of Helena; his grandchildren, DawnDee Hoffman, John Goodsell, Monti Arneson, Casey Howery, Ron, Rolanda and Kyle Goodsell; along with 13 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his foster mother, Dean Barber, and her children, Larry Barber, Rick Barber, Janet Maxwell and Sharon Brett; also Denise and Bud Butler, and Alexis and Madison Butler, the children and grandchildren of the love of his life, Donna Barber Sorteberg, whom he had fallen in love with over 50 years ago. Although they parted ways and started their own families, they never forgot about each other or the love they had once shared, and were re-united again a year ago to finish out the rest of their lives together. It wasn’t long enough, but the year they did have brought back a lifetime of joy and happiness for our dad and we wouldn’t trade that for the world.

“Thank you Donna for loving him the way you did, and never leaving his side at the end. We love you, Puzz. You were an inspiration to all who knew you and a hero to our family. We will hold tight all of great memories until we see each other again. We love you.”

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Columbia Mortuary. There will be a reception after the service, the location to be announced.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary. You are invited to go www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Rodney’s tribute wall.