Orris Kastella
Orris A. H. Kastella, 83, passed away Jan. 15, 2009, in Whitefish.
He was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Whitefish, the second son of Anton and Dagny Kastella. Orris' father passed away in 1933, leaving his wife to raise their five children.
As the children grew they helped supplement their financial needs by doing odd jobs, building bicycles to sell, raise rabbits, selling seeds door-to-door and delivering newspapers twice a day.
Several summers, the boys traveled to Minnesota by train to work on an uncle's farm. Hearing the words "back to school" were words Orris did not want to hear or read, even in his later years.
In 1942, Orris worked on the section gang during the summer for the Great Northern Railroad. In 1943, he worked as a callboy to alert the train crews to their schedules.
In July 1944, he was inducted into the Army. He served in New Guinea and the Philippines until his honorable discharge in August 1946.
Orris returned to Whitefish and was employed by the railroad, working in the yard office and the baggage room until his retirement in 1985. He also worked for Rocky Mountain Transportation.
Orris married Fern Jensen June 27, 1953. They were blessed with three sons who grew up in Whitefish, Douglas, Jeffrey and Joseph.
Orris enjoyed biking, hiking in Glacier National Park, camping, skiing, flying and delivering Meals-on-Wheels. He really enjoyed train rides, yard sales, attending pancake breakfasts, harvest dinners and chatting with friends. For several years, he put the Christmas lights on the engine at the deport.
Orris was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norman and Melvin, and sisters Esther and Irma.
He is survived by half-sister Ruby Osmon, in Austin Min.; wife Fern; sons Jeffrey Kastella and wife Cynthia, and Joseph Kastella and wife Susan; grandchildren Heidi, Kyle, Ryan and Serena; step-grandchildren Melissa, Robert and Dale; great grandchildren Breanne and Breyden; step-great grandchildren Taylor, Zachary and Melanie; sisters-in-law Ettie Kastella and Helen Harris; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, in Whitefish, with Pastor John Bent officiating, on July 2, 2009, at 11 a.m. A lunch will be served for everyone attending.
Friends and families are invited to attend the graveside service at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, in Kalispell, after the service at 2 p.m.
Steven Inabnit
Steven Dale Inabnit, 55, of Whitefish, died of natural causes at his home on June 6, 2009.
He was born Aug. 22, 1953, in Conrad. He graduated from Conrad High School in 1971 and went on to attend and graduate from Helena Vo-Tech.
Steven worked with computers for a large bank. After deciding that office life wasn't for him, he pursued a career in the plumbing field, where he found much success.
He owned and operated Big Mountain Plumbing in Whitefish for more than 25 years. In addition to running a full time business, he also raised twin sons who worked in the business with him while they attended high school and college.
In addition to work, Steve enjoyed everything that Montana has to offer, including hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, rock hounding, remodeling his home and spending time with family, especially with his two new grandchildren.
He is survived by his parents Dale and Mary Ann Inabnit, of Conrad; son Josh Inabnit and wife Mary, of Missoula, and their daughter Grace; son Jeremy Inabnit and wife Saxon, of Missoula, and their son Tyler; brothers Gordon Inabnit and wife Helen, of Rudyard, and Dan Inabnit and wife Debbie, of Valier; sisters Janet King, of Valier, Donna Hilliard and husband Bill, of Havre, and Lorna Kovatch and husband Kenny, of Ovando; ex-wife and friend Maureen Widhalm, of Missoula; and numerous friends, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held June 19, 2009, at Steve's home in Whitefish.
Betty Jane Forsyth
Betty Jane Forsyth, 83, loving mother and grandmother, passed away June 16, 2009.
Betty, or Dude, as she was affectionately called for most of her young life, was born July 20, 1925, in Townsend to Helen and Charles Watkins.
After completing high school in Townsend, Betty graduated from Sisters of Charity Nursing School in Helena, receiving her registered nursing degree. She worked in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Deaconess Hospital in Havre, where she met and married her husband of 56 years, Dick Forsyth.
They met after a softball game in which Betty played shortstop. Her love of baseball continued throughout her life, and she supported the Mariners through good times and bad.
In 1963, Betty and Dick moved to Whitefish, where they owned a small motel, raised their daughters and enjoyed the beautiful community. In 1991, they moved to Spokane to be closer to family. They moved to San Souci Mobile Home Park in 1992.
Betty enjoyed volunteering and participating in their many activities. She especially loved and appreciated the wonderful friends she made there. Her greatest joy was her family. She brought a sweet kindness and humor to all of us.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter Sharon Forsyth; husband Dick Forsyth; and brother Bill Watkins.
She is survived by her daughter Diane Ward and husband Ron, of Spokane; grandson Tyler Ward and wife Eryn, of Spokane; sisters-in-law Ella Forsyth, of Moses Lake, and Eileen Hoef,t of Vancouver, Wash.; and many thoughtful and caring nephews and nieces.
A memorial celebration of Betty's life was held June 22, 2009, at the Sans Souci Club House.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery or Hospice of Spokane.