Fred Witbrod Sr.

Fred Witbrod Sr., of Columbia Falls, passed on peacefully June 6, 2013.

He was born Jan. 3, 1924, to Frank and Julia Witbrod, in Chicago.

He was raised in a family with eight siblings and graduated Carl Shurz High School in 1942.

In his early 20s, he apprenticed and became a tool and die maker and inventor, achieving several patents, and also joined the Merchant Marines. In 1948, he met the love of his life, Marion Reed, from Sterling, Ill. They were married Sept. 18, 1950. Together they raised four children in Mt. Prospect, Ill.

He was a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He took great pleasure in being with his family camping, fishing, canoeing, growing fruit trees, making home movies, working with his hands, eating chocolate, and enjoying peoples company.

He was a devout Catholic and was able to follow his spiritual path on a pilgrimage to both Jerusalem and Rome.

In 1991, Fred and Marion retired and moved to Columbia Falls to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He became active in Saint Charles Catholic Church, started woodworking, and volunteered for the North Valley Food Bank. He enjoyed the outdoors with family and friends, and loved talking to just about anyone from the ladies at the library to a stranger at The Dollar Store. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his sons and their wives, Kevin and Mary Witbrod, and Jeff Witbrod and Karin Lamb; along with his daughter and husband, Donna and Terry Simpson, all of Montana; and nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. His wife of 49 years, Marion, preceded him in death in 1999, and his oldest son Fred Jr., in 2012.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the North Valley Food Bank in his honor.

There will be a graveside service on June 12 at 11a.m. at Saint Richards Cemetery in Columbia Falls with a celebration of his life immediately following at 146 Sandy River Way, in Columbia Falls.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.