A. Allan Aronson, 73

Arvid Allan Aronson was born to Arvid and Edith Aronson on July 6, 1943, and died as a result of congestive heart failure on August 11, 2016.

Allan was a loyal, humble, solid, kind and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was proud of his Swedish heritage, his family and his country.

He was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota. His family had a farm in Hector, Minnesota, where he, his brother, Marty, and sister, Alyce, spent their early years. The family moved to central California, where Allan graduated from Templeton High School. He then attended California Lutheran University where he met his wife, Beverly. They were married in 1966 and celebrated their 50th anniversary in April this year.

After graduation, Allan became an Air Force officer and was stationed in Denver, where their daughter Krista was born. The family then was stationed on the island of Crete, Greece. When they returned to the U.S., their second daughter, Audree, was born. With a two-year-old and a newborn, the family moved to Kalispell in 1970. Allan then began a 37-year-career at the Valley Bank.

Throughout his life he loved sports. He participated in many sports in high school and college and coached youth teams for many years. He could quote sport statistics and could recall dates and information in an instant. He enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and the world with family and friends.

Allan was active in civic and church organizations all through his life: Rotary, board member of Immanuel Lutheran Corporation and Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp, state president of Montana Independent Banker, Flathead Valley Community College Associate Foundation Board and Norm’s News Coffee Group.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; daughter Krista Bates, her husband Jay and their children Connor and Emma; daughter Audree Keen and her children Christopher and Matthew; brother, Marty Aronson; sister, Alyce Gross; and many nephews, nieces and friends. Allan brought a lot of joy to others throughout his life, and he’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Friday, August 19, with reception following at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Memorials may be made to Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp or the FVCC Scholarship Fund.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.