Julie Kaneen

Julie “Julz” Marjorie Kaneen, 31, of Kalispell, passed away suddenly the morning of Feb. 22, 2015.

Julie was born in Whitefish on Nov. 26, 1983 to William “Bill” and Ellen Ann Kaneen, of Kalispell.

She attended Glacier Christian Academy through sixth grade, started public school in Columbia Falls in seventh grade, and continued on to graduate from Columbia Falls High School, Class of 2003. During that time she played many sports, including volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball, in which she was awarded a Most Valuable Player Award.

Julie then started college at Flathead Valley Community College and graduated Class of 2005 with an associates of arts degree.

Julie was proud to have followed her mom, Ellen, in being part of the Glacier National Park family as a park ranger for the campgrounds. She also worked at Big R/Murdoch’s, Candy Bar Ranch and Flathead Concrete.

She had a great sense of humor and was always up for a good joke. Everyone knew she didn’t like to be teased. Julie enjoyed the outdoors but especially loved fishing, boating and camping. She treasured time spent with family and especially her nieces MaKenzie and Erika, whom she treated like her own.

She is proceeded in death by paternal grandparents Robert and Marjorie Kaneen, of Downey, Calif., maternal grandfather Jarhl Hanson, of Pelican Rapids, Minn. and brother Ryan Kaneen, of West Yellowstone.

Julie is survived by her parents Bill and Ellen Kaneen, of Kalispell; brothers Brad and wife Connie, of Corona, Calif., John, of Kalispell ,and Jason, of Kalispell; maternal grandmother Marjorie Hanson, of Pelican Rapids, Minn.; aunt Jean Varholdt and husband Robert, of Barnsville, Minn.; uncles Donald Hanson and wife Colette, of Pelican Rapids, Minn., Ronald Hanson and wife Lorie, of East Grand Forks, Minn., and John Hanson and wife Linda, of Hungry Horse; nephew Seth Kaneen, of Corona, Calif.; nieces Shelby Kaneen, of Corona, Calif., MaKenzie Kaneen, of Columbia Falls, and Erika Kaneen, of Columbia Falls; cousins Travis, Rhonda, Brittney, Megan, Courtney, Joey and Tiffany; and her beloved fiancé and best friend Karl Hoffman, of Kalispell.

Funeral services will be held at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, at 1 p.m. with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.