Everett Lundgren
Everett Martin Lundgren passed away Feb. 26, 2012, in Whitefish at the age of 95.
He was born March 10, 1917, in Bottineau, N.D., to Dan and Marie (Rothe) Lundgren. The family of seven moved to Sweet Grass, where he graduated from high school. He attended Montana State University in Bozeman with an emphasis in engineering.
In 1942, he married Grace Keener, from Milk River, Alberta. They had three daughters, Laurel, Laraine and Helen. During World War II, he was a successful engineer for the prestigious Boeing Company in Seattle.
In 1946, the family moved from Seattle to Belton, now West Glacier, and with his father Dan, brothers Dan Jr. and Conrad and family friend Dave Thompson, purchased the West Glacier Mercantile and its holdings at the west entrance to Glacier National Park. The business remains in the family.
In 1948, his wife Grace passed away. In 1950, he married Margaret Coates, from Milk River, Alberta. They had one son Robert.
Everett was an ardent fisherman, game and professional goose hunter, and golfer. He loved Glacier National Park and trekked many miles of lake trails and mountain peaks, including several climbs to Chief Mountain and an ascent of Mt Cleveland with his son-in-law Monty Parratt.
He was a member of the Lewis and Clark Foundation, the Glacier Natural History Association, Duck’s Unlimited, and The American Bluebird Society. He was president of the West Glacier Lions Club, board member and chairman for eight years with Columbia Falls School District 6 and a past Mason.
Everett was preceded in death by his parents, Dan Sr. and Marie; first wife Grace; brothers Conrad and Dan Jr.; and son-in-law Park “Monty” Parratt.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, Whitefish; brother Charles and wife Alice, Billings; sister Alida Lundgren Powers, Beaumont, Texas; daughters Laurel Lundgren Parratt, Marysville, Wash., Laraine Lundgren, Missoula, and Helen Lundgren, Tucson, Ariz.; son Robert Lundgren and wife Nancy, West Glacier; grandchildren Kimberly Schneider and husband Russell, Whitefish, Kristin Parratt, Marysville, Wash., Brandon Ketchum, Sarah Ketchum, Ursula Ketchum, Tucson, Ariz., and Maria Lundgren and Anna Lundgren, West Glacier; great grandchildren Casey and Josie Schneider, Whitefish, and Ashley and Joshua Ketchum, Tucson, Ariz.
A celebration of life for Everett will be held in early summer 2012 when the bluebirds return.
Donations in his memory may be given to ALERT Helicopter, 310 Sunnyview Lane, Kalispell MT 59901; or A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, 9185 East Kenyon Avenue, Suite 230, Denver CO 80237.
Condolences and memories can be shared online on Everett’s tribute wall at www.austinfh.com.