Raymond 'Bud' G. Linrude, 84

Ray Linrude passed away on May 19, 2019, in Kalispell. He was born on Dec. 4, 1934, to hardworking immigrant parents Hoken and Jessie Linrude in Kalispell. While attending Flathead County High School he met his future wife, Jeanne C. Monk. She knew he was interested in her when he continued to ride circles on his motorcycle around her and her horse. They were married on Dec. 3, 1955.

There was not a “rig” Bud could not drive or an appliance he could not fix … except for the Keurig single cup coffee makers … those were still a mystery. With only his wits and Norwegian stubbornness he became a 30-year steel contractor and builder for Stan Steel and later Garco construction companies. He built over 20 steel buildings in the Flathead Valley, including Grosswiler Feed Lot, St. Matthew’s Fair booth/kitchen, Pacific Hide and Fur, Glacier Horse Ranch Arena, Executive Auto and many more.

He was not a patient man, but if you could get by his remarks about your lack of intelligence and ability, you could learn how to pour a perfect cement foundation, track a deer or find the best fishing places in the Northwest. He was happiest when he hunted the woods and meadows of Pleasant Valley with his son Kevin and nephews Doug and Mark Stancill for elk. Over the years he took his share of not only elk, but deer and moose as well. He also loved fishing with his buddies Lefty, Chainsaw George, Louie and Bob. No fish was safe when he put his boat into the waters of any lake, from Bitterroot to the Pacific Ocean to the streams of western Alaska.

Ray often preferred dogs to people. With the likes of Sparky, Ben and Chip riding shotgun in his truck, tractor or even a stool at the Finish Line Bar and Grill, his love for animals and the outdoors kept him centered and grounded. However, anyone who knew Bud knew he could never be half the man he was without his wife Jeanne. She was his rock and many times his strength.

He was a man who lived by simple rules: 1. Work hard. 2. Always put the tools back where you found them. 3. Don’t buy what you can’t afford. 4. Never let your gas gauge dip below a quarter of a tank. 5. Work harder. Many local and world problems were solved in his shop over a cold beer, a sleeping dog and a fire in the stove.

Bud’s last five years of life were hard. He fought against diseases that took away his mobility and gave him incredible amounts of pain. He tried to remain relevant and in touch with his family. His grandchildren were often instructed on how to mow a lawn with golf course precision, change the oil when you rotate the tires, and where the best places to gamble and have a good hamburger were located.

Ray is survived his wife Jeanne, his son Kevin Linrude and wife Melissa (who is an angel to our family) along with their children Allix, Taylor, Carsen and Rylie Kate.

Sadly, he was preceded in death by his first grandchild, Kyle Linrude, in 1994.

He is also survived by his daughter Kristyn Morin and her daughter Jillian Lehr who tried their best to let him know he still counted in the scheme of life. His sisters are Dorothy Nelson of Tucson, Arizona, Ardith Weatherford (his favorite) of Issaquah, Washington, and Carol Eckholt of Kalispell. Ray was always very proud of his family.

By his request, there will be no funeral. He did not like funerals and especially the thought of his own. He has instructed his family to spread his ashes when the lakes are warm and the grass is green somewhere in Montana.