John "Hutch" Russell Hutchens, 74

John Russell Hutchens, 74, passed away at his home near Whitefish, on April 7, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Whitefish to James and Myrtle (Kramer) Hutchens on Oct. 1, 1949, the fifth of six siblings, joining four sisters and later a brother. He grew up in the Bissell community near Whitefish, attended the Bissell School and Whitefish High School. After high school he attended Northern Montana College (MSU-Havre).

He was an avid sports fan and participant. He played baseball starting with Little League in Olney, then Babe Ruth and Legion in Whitefish, and in college. He also played men’s league softball for many years. Coaching was also a big part of his sports life. He coached Babe Ruth baseball and women’s softball in Whitefish, and was the founder of the Whitefish Girls Softball League. Baseball and softball were his passion, as was football which he played for the Whitefish High School Bulldogs and the Northern Lights in college at Havre. Golfing was a sport he also enjoyed for many years.

Following college John and his friend Steve Weise travelled throughout the country and attended a major league baseball game at every stadium in the US and in Toronto, Canada. The trip was a favorite memory for both John and Steve and they talked about it often.

In the late 1960s, he went to work in Olney for American Timber Company, working there until the mill closed in 2000. He then studied to become a Master Gardener and worked for many years at Angie’s Greenhouse in Columbia Falls.

Besides sports and gardening, John’s interests included road trips, preferably by himself so he could be on the road very early each morning and spend the day seeing the sights he most wanted to see. He loved visiting historical sites especially Civil War battlefields. The Bison Range was also a favorite place. He visited it often and eventually got so familiar with the bison that he spent his time enjoying the other animals and photographing the wild flowers and birds.  

Reading was also high on his list of interests. He was knowledgeable in almost any subject in a conversation and would often have everyone laughing with stories related to the subject. In his later years, when road trips were no longer easy for him, John continued to enjoy his interests through tv, reading books, watching the many birds that visited his home, and hearing about travels and adventures that other family members and friends experienced.

John was a fun-loving, outgoing, humble individual with a quick wit. He never married, though he was a much-loved uncle to his many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was always interested in what they were doing and attended many activities and important occasions in their lives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his nephew, Paul Hutchens Jones; and brothers-in-law, Arden Olsen and Robert Iverson.

He is survived by his sisters, Lauretta Olsen, Susan Iverson, Mary Jones (Tom) and Sally Christensen (Keith); his brother, Bill Hutchens (Donna); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many special friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Hutchens property, 76 Hutchens Lane, Whitefish. If making a donation, the family suggests Wings Regional Cancer Support, P.O. Box 7852, Kalispell, MT, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.austinfh.com.