Leslie Tinseth, 89

Long time Kalispell resident, Les Tinseth, 89, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3, 2024, at the Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation in Whitefish.  

He will be remembered as an outgoing, kind, generous, and giving man who loved his family, Ashely Lake, the Northwest Montana Community, and sports (especially baseball).

Les is survived by his wife of more than 68 years, Pat; four sons, Randy of Seattle, Rodney and Loren of Kalispell, and Lance of Denver; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Les was born on Dec. 23, 1935, in Sauk Center, Minnesota. Three years later, he was adopted by Fred and Milred Tinseth of Cyrus, Minnesota. Fred was a farmer raising corn and soybeans, while Milred took care of the household and was known as an amazing cook. Although Les loved Cyrus and his parents, farming was not in his blood.

In the mid-1950s, Les went on a trip with his parents to Washington state. He never made it to Washington. Instead, he became enamored with Glacier National Park and decided to stay in Kalispell, even if it meant waiting a year for his car to arrive from Minnesota.

A few years later, Les met Pat when they both worked at Montgomery Wards in downtown Kalispell. They were married on June 24, 1956, at the Central Christian Church in Kalispell.  

Les started his career as a clothing store salesman and store owner. He moved on to TV at KCFW in Kalispell reporting sports, weather and hosting the "Hi Neighbor" show. But he found his true calling in 1969 when he went into the insurance industry. It was tough in the early years and so he supplemented the family’s income serving as a part time customs agent at Glacier International Airport.  

His business really started to take-off in the 1970s when he established Tinseth and Associates. His son, Rodney and his wife, Sherry run the business today. Les was a regular in the office until his retirement last year.

Les loved the greater Kalispell community, and he gave back to it in many ways. He was a long-time coach and sponsor for Babe Ruth Baseball. He joined the Lions Club in the 1960s and was the inaugural president of the Sun Riser Lions in 1969. He joined the Central Christian Church in the 1950s as a long time elder, board member, and past board president. He was a member and past president of the Stillwater Grange. He was also past president of NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) of Montana — receiving their highest honor in 2001. In short, his actions touched countless people across the Flathead valley over the years.

Late in life, Les was able to connect with his birth family and formed a strong bond with his sister, Sharon, after they met in 2019. They talked weekly until his passing.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his honor be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana.  

A celebration of life will be scheduled for this coming spring. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.