Ernest "Bud" Branden

Ernest "Bud" Branden, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Bud was born on Dec. 29, 1920 in Whitetail, Mont. He moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with his parents Sig and Martha Branden in 1924. He lived and attended school in Coeur d'Alene until he went into the Army in 1942. He married Alma Bell in 1948; they lived in Idaho for awhile and then moved to Montana. He worked in the mill yard at Fortine and retired from Plum Creek. He loved to fish, hunt and spend many hours in the outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sig and Martha Branden and his wife Alma Branden.

Bud is survived by his son Harvey Branden and wife Chris of Kalispell, daughter Linda Iverson and husband Tom of Whitefish, sister Ines Pierson and husband Don of Seattle, Washington, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren.

He will be missed by all his family and friends. He lived at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls for the last three years where he enjoyed playing Bingo and all other activities that were provided there.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Montana Veterans Home, Box 250, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

A memorial services was held on Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at 4 p.m. at the Columbia Falls Assembly of God church with Rev. Darrell Newby officiating.

Cremation arrangements were made with Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls.