James Estenson

James O. “Joe” Estenson, 67, passed away in Kalispell on May 31, 2014.

He was born on April 11, 1947 to Melvin Christian “Esty” Estenson and Ellen Jane Stewart.  He grew up in Columbia Falls, Marakech, Morocco and Madrid, Spain. After graduating from high school in Madrid, he attended Carroll College in Helena.

He met Angela Michelle Kuhl and later they married. They had two children, Michael Gene and Amanda Kate.  

From 1986 to 1999, Joe was the director of marketing for Alpine Aviation in Salt Lake City, owned by Gene Mallette, his very dear friend. After retiring from Alpine, Joe returned to Helena and worked for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.  

An avid outdoorsman, Joe fished whenever he had a chance. He enjoyed road trips, camping and Wildflower (frisby golf tournament) with his children. He was always on some grand adventure with friends and family. Everyone he met was a friend, and he knew no strangers.

Joe was very passionate about the Native American culture and attended many pow wows and ceremonies. He had many friends in that community that held him dear to their hearts.  

Everyone whose lives he touched is blessed for knowing him. He was a kind, gentle, caring and funny man who always thought of others before himself. His wish for his children was that they be happy in whatever they did.

Later in life, he married Carrie Anne Larsen and had a son, Joseph Eli.  

He was preceded in death by his mother Ellen Jane Stewart, father Melvin Christian “Esty”, brother Michael Christian and sister Kari Ellen.

He is survived by his brother Patrick and wife JoElen; sister Madge and husband Greg; former wives Angie and Carrie; son Michael and wife Teryn; daughter Amanda; son Eli and wife Rachael; daughter Anne and husband Josh; and grandchildren Devon, Gabe, Abby and Ariana.

Mass will be held at Our Lady the Valley, 1502 Shirley Road, in Helena, on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.

An informal barbecue potluck will be held at Lockey Park, 1700 Broadway, in Helena, on Saturday, July 12, 2014, at noon.