Ronald J. Thamert

Ronald J. Thamert, 81, passed away Friday, July 3, 2015, at the Brendan House in Kalispell, Montana.

He was born on April 7, 1934 in Owatonna, Minnesota, the son of Kenneth and Clara (Haberman) Thamert. His early years were spent on the family farm with his parents, his twin brother, Ken, Jr., and their older sister, Jean. While attending high school in Owatonna, he met Mary Lee Arndt, a classmate, and their friendship continued throughout high school.

Two years following high school graduation, Ron and Mary Lee were married on June 26, 1954 and raised their children, Ann, Sara and Andy in Owatonna. Ron delighted in raising his family and later enjoying his grandchildren. His children and grandchildren were the highlights of Ron's life.

Ron was employed as a welder for an Owatonna Company for nearly 40 years. Ron and his wife shared many common interests, and in 1980, they began a small custom iron business where they designed, created and welded furniture, railings, gates and fences. For the past 15 years, they have produced smaller decorative iron pieces.

In the early 1970s, while on a family vacation to Yellowstone Park, they discovered Glacier National Park. On subsequent yearly vacation visits, they purchased a small acreage at West Glacier and built a summer home. This was of special interest to Ron as he did much of the work himself while supervising his family of helpers! Since 2008, they have spent a majority of their time at home in West Glacier.

Ron and his wife really enjoyed a surprise open house party on June 26, 2014 in West Glacier to celebrate their 60 years of marriage.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, and a granddaughter (Sara Katherine). Ron is survived by his wife, Mary Lee; daughter Ann and her daughter, Katy Chaffee of West Glacier; daughter Sara Lee Thamert of West Glacier and Port St. Lucie, Florida; and son Andy and his wife, Betsy, and their children - Ryan and Grace of Estes Park, Colorado.

He is also survived by his twin brother, Ken and his wife, Dorie, of Rochester, Minnesota; niece Julie and her husband, Joe, and family of Cypress Falls, Texas; nephew Scott and his wife, Lois, and their son, Hunter, of Rochester, Minnesota; and Ron's brother-in-law, Bill Struewing, of Overland Park, Kansas.

Columbia Mortuary, in Columbia Falls is handling the arrangements for the family and online condolences will be welcomed at wecare@columbiamortuary.com.  Ron has been cremated and there will be no services at this time. A gathering of family and friends will be held in Owatonna, Minnesota in late summer. Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice; however, one of Ron's very special interests was the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, Minnesota.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Ron's family.