Louis 'Lou' William Gottschalk, 96

Louis “Lou” William Gottschalk, 96, of Kalispell, passed away of natural causes on Feb. 2, 2018.

Lou was born in Oakland, California, on Feb. 22, 1921, to Herbert and Anna (Vialli) Gottschalk.

Lou joined the Navy in 1941 and served four years before being honorably discharged.

He joined the California Highway Patrol and retired as a lieutenant from Corte Madera, California, after 30 years of service. Lou then worked for Baldwin Trucking.

He was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Buffalo Hill Golf Course. Lou made it a point every Friday night to take his wife to dinner at Spencer and Company Steakhouse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister.

Lou is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Nova Arlyne Gottschalk; daughters, Lisa Marie Gottschalk and Annette Seabase; grandson, Seth Foster, and his wife, Holly; granddaughter, Kassie Rinearson, and her husband, Justin; great-grandchildren, Alexus, Jackson and Peyton Foster, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Lou was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Lou was loved by many friends and everyone at Spencer and Company Steakhouse, where they made him their honorary mayor.

A celebration of Lou’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with a reception to follow at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Lou’s name to the Flathead Valley Food Bank, or the Flathead Valley Animal Shelter.

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