Karen Whalen, 71

Karen Marie Whalen, 71, passed away Oct. 8, 2023, at her home in Creston. She was born in Whitefish, Montana, on Jan. 24, 1952. She was the daughter and first child of Betty and Robert Lynn of Columbia Falls, Montana.

In 1955, the marriage between Robert and Betty dissolved.

In 1956, Betty married George Walker of Columbia Falls. Later that year, Karen and her parents moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon. Karen was 4 years old. They lived on a small farm where Karen spent her formidable years. She grew up to be a real cowgirl. She had her own horse which she rode every chance she had.

In 1968, Karen and her parents moved back to Montana. Her parents had bought the Isaac Walton Inn in Essex, which at the time was still a railroad hotel. At an early age Karen became a waitress and maid at the Inn as well as keeping up with her studies at Columbia Falls high school. She attended high school both in Cottage Grove and Columbia Falls as well as studies at Flathead Valley Community College.

In 1971, Karen married Michael Voigt of Whitefish, Montana. The marriage produced two children, a daughter, Victoria; and a son, Ronald. The marriage between Michael and Karen dissolved after 33 months.

In December of 1974, Karen married Tomas Whalen. Tom was a ranger stationed at St. Mary in Glacier National Park. After three years at St. Mary, Karen, Tom and the children, moved to West Glacier where Tom took a job as an electrician for the Park.

Tom and Karen lived most their married life in Glacier Park where they spent many happy years exploring the wonders of the park by foot, horseback, and airplane (Tom was a pilot). Tom retired from the Park Service in 2004, after which he and Karen bought a home in Creston where she lived until her death.

Karen was an animal lover who volunteered many hours of her time to the humane society in the 80’s as well as adopting some of the pets herself. She was also an avid bowler. She taught youth bowling in Columbia Falls, and participated in league bowling up to the time of her death. She had a big heart, as big as the mountains around her, a friend to all she met.

As well as being a loving wife and mother, Karen worked in multiple occupations during her life such as; bank clerk, office manager, store manager, waitress, grocery clerk, and traffic control on road construction projects.

She is survived by Tom, her husband of 49 years; daughter, Victoria; son, Ronald; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Walker; sister, Mary Hall; as well as multiple brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 20, at the Saint John Paul ll Catholic Church, Bigfork (Hwy. 35 and Coverdell Road). Following the service, interment will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.