Donald A. Garberg, 76

Donald A. Garberg passed away on April 21, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born to Arthur B. and Volga B. Garberg on June 28, 1945, he lived in Montana all his life. Faith was a guiding principle throughout his life, and he was raised in the Lutheran Church.

He graduated from Great Falls High School in 1964. While in high school he was very involved in several activities and made lifelong friends. He also earned an Eagle Scout badge with Two Palm Clusters. Don was an excellent skier and spent many days (and some nights) amongst friends traversing the slopes of Big Mountain ski hill in Whitefish. He also loved golfing and one of his fondest memories was a trip to St. Andrews, as always with friends. The best memory was his “hole-in-one,” accomplished at Crystal Lakes in Eureka. It wasn't pretty, but it has been talked about for many years and he was very proud of it!

Don was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served during Vietnam in Okinawa, Japan, receiving an honorable discharge, and continuing in the reserves after the war. He graduated from the University of Montana in political science and economics and was again involved in many activities.

He moved to the Flathead Valley in the early 1970s where he spent his professional life in financial services, mostly in Kalispell. During his years in Kalispell, he was very active in the Masons and as a Shriner, completing the third degree of the Scottish Rite, and was the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge.

He relocated back to Great Falls in the early 2000s and renewed his friendships with his many Great Falls friends. He later became a Roman Catholic and was involved in several liturgy studies. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Cascade Lodge no. 34 of the Masons in Great Falls.

In 1970 Don married Callie Colby of Harlowton, Montana, who was tragically killed in a car accident. He married Linda Taylor in 1974 and from this union his only child, Erik, was born. He shared the last 17 years of his life with his life partner and best friend, Elaine Kitchingman. Don always greeted you with a warm smile and asked how you were doing. He always had a positive outlook on life and was willing to lend a helping hand. In short, he became your best friend.

Both Don and his family want to express their extreme gratitude to the healthcare team that provided compassionate care during the last years of his life.

He is survived by his son Erik D. Garberg (Kristine) and grandchildren Wyatt and Elise of Bozeman; sisters Garnet (Larry) Bell of Sparks, Nevada, and Lola (Len) Schnittker of Brawley, California; brother William B. Garberg of Great Falls; as well as two nephews and four nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Great Falls, with a reception to follow at the church.