Anson E. Barnes, 88

Anson E. Barnes, 88, passed away peacefully, at home the evening of Feb. 1, 2025.   

He was born in Kalispell on April 2, 1936, to Allen and Vivian Barnes, of Whitefish.

His father passed away when he was a young child. His mother then took him back to the Fredenburg family farm where she raised Anson and helped raise her youngest siblings. He always joked that he was the 17th Fredenburg. He also continued to maintain a close relationship with his brothers Ron and Bob and the Barnes family of Whitefish.  

Anson joined the Navy in 1954 and served on the USS Missouri. He was then stationed in Sasebo, Japan. He was active duty for three years and upon his return home he met Sally Stapley, the love of his life. He married her in January of 1958. They spent 52 years together until she passed in 2010.

Anson was a member of the Masonic lodge from 1973 until the time of his passing and also a member of Eastern Star.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his wife, two sons, Baby Barnes and Loran Anson Barnes, his two brothers, Bob and Ron Barnes and numerous extended family.  

He is survived by his sons, Wendell (Nona) Barnes and their family of Clinton, Montana, and Harley (Tanya) Barnes and their family of Columbia Falls. 

Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 22, at the Buffalo Hills Funeral Home in Kalispell. Graveside services will be held at a later date.