Kenneth Strowbridge

Kenneth Wayne Strowbridge, Sr. was called home to heaven to forever be with the Lord on March 13, 2012, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Dec. 15, 1938, in Bemidji, MInn., to Eugene (Pete) and and Faye (Lee) Strowbridge. He attended schools in Bemidji, where he was very involved with North Star Riders Club and won many ribbons and awards.

Kenneth was drafted into the Army in 1962 and served two years. He came to Montana in 1964 to look for work and found employment at Plum Creek Timber Company, where he worked for 44 years, retiring in June of 2005.

He met Virginia Faye Lietz in 1964, and they married Nov. 7 of that year. This union was blessed with three children, daughter Shannon and two sons, Ken Jr and Scott. They were married for more than 47 years.

Kenneth was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved tinkering on motors. He loved spending time at his sons’ family cabin on the Thompson River. He was very proud of his children and adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Johnny and Bill; sister Lois Ward; his beloved granddaughter Elizabeth Strowbridge; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his wife Virginia at the family home in Kalispell; daughter Shannon Brittenham and husband Bill, of Kalispell; son Ken Strowbridge Jr. and wife Kitty, of Charlo; son Scott Strowbridge and wife Kendi, of Columbia Falls; grandchildren Amanda and John Riggs, Ryan Buck, Shawn and Tami Brittenham, Judd and Jamie Strowbridge, Ashley and Joe Vanek, Tyler Benzein, Aleysha and Curtis Wagner, and Shanae and Kassidie Strowbridge; foster grandchildren Brandon Vance, and Lacey and Rob Smith; great grandchildren Jordyn Buck, Tessa Riggs, Carter Brittenham, Austin and Emmalee Vanek, Mckenzee and Lynzee Wagner, and Ashtyn Smith; siblings Alice and Jim Riley, Eugene (Hoosier) and Judy Strowbridge, Anna Riley, all of the Flathead Valley, Larry and Brenda Strowbridge, Linda and Charles Weikel, Judy and Warren Green, Fred Strowbridge, Randy and Deb Strowbridge, Jim and Jodi Strowbridge, Aunt Arleen Lee, and numerous family in Bemidji, Minn.

A celebration of life was held March 19, 2012, at New Covenant Church.