Gary Van Frachen, 81

Gary Van Frachen went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 5 at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on July 30, 1941, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Growing up the family lived above his parents' bakery in Two Rivers. Go Packers. As a child he wanted to move to Montana and buy a ranch. Gary served in the Air Force which brought him to Lakeside Radar Base. He ventured down to Woodland Park for some ice skating where he says Lois pushed him down several times to get his attention. He pulled her girls around on the ice rink which won Lois’ heart. Gary was sent to Japan and Lakeside then Vietnam before returning to Montana to marry Lois. A year later they welcomed Mark. Lois spent 56 years saying “oh Gary'' because he was such a tease. He passed that sense of humor on to Mark and grandkids. Gary loved hanging out at Sykes, drinking coffee, talking politics and shooting the breeze with the other old guys. Gary enjoyed watching “The Chosen '' in the last few weeks of his life and was rebaptized five days before his death. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Margaret Van Frachen; brother Ernie Van Frachen; mother-in-law Nina Jones; father-in-law Harry Jones; daughter Connie Van Frachen; brothers-in-law Hector Rodela and Jim Barrett; son-in-law Casey Griffin; and grandson Joseph Mickels-Silva. Gary is survived by his wife Lois; daughter Cheryl Griffin; son Mark Van Frachen(Candy); grandchildren Kiel Fauske(Jenna) Mason Van Frachen(Kimi), Richard Dilka, Desirae Westenskow( Matt), Megan Gluyas, Jolee Van Frachen and Austin Van Frachen; great-grandchildren Riley Shelton, Caroline Van Frachen, Lynleigh Fauske and Gabe Westenskow; sisters Jackie Barrett, Sharon Herzog and Pauline Rodela; sister-in-law Pat Van Frachen and many nieces and nephews. He was loved by all.

Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m. at the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with burial to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens, with Military Honors by U.S. Airforce Honor Guard and United Veterans of the Flathead Valley. A reception will follow at Canvas Church. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.