Stephen Keeney

Stephen Park Keeney of Columbia Falls passed away in November. He was born in San Francisco, Calif., on June 29, 1956 and lived in California and Connecticut before moving to Montana in 1980.

Steve was moving to Alaska when he stopped to visit a friend in Polebridge, canceled the rest of the trip and set his roots there. He never moved far after that, living in Hungry Horse, Lakeside and Columbia Falls.

He loved northwest Montana, its majestic scenery, its peace and quiet, and the people who live here. He worked as a logger, firefighter, handyman and carpenter. Steve loved music and was a talented writer and artist.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Rodney, in 1995 and Florence, in May, 2007. He is survived by daughter, Kelly Keeney of Rensselaer, N.Y.; brother, William Keeney and sister-in-law Maureen and daughters Erin and Sara of Lafayette, Colo.; sister Katherine and brother-in-law Lyle Hendricks of Orofino, Idaho; and four aunts, an uncle and many cousins.

A graveside gathering, officiated by Pastor Darrell Newby, will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. and will be followed by a potluck celebration of his life at 5 p.m. at the Senior Center in Columbia Falls. Contact Kathy at (208) 476-7740 for information.

If you would like to make a donation, please make it to the charity of your choice.