Ralph Lee Burtsfield, 85

Ralph Lee Burtsfield, 85, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025, at The Retreat at Buffalo Hill.

Ralph was born Jan. 14, 1940, in Kalispell to William and Marie Burtsfield. The family moved to Whitefish in 1943.

Ralph graduated from Whitefish High School in 1959. During his high school years, Ralph and his friend Jim Groshong were known for their trampoline acrobatics, which they performed during basketball halftime shows.

He continued his first job at the Whitefish Safeway store until 1963, when he went to work at the Anaconda Aluminum plant. 

Ralph was also a member of the Whitefish Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as both an EMT and firefighter. In 1969, he started working with Marion and Etta Lacy at Lacy’s Photo Studio in Whitefish.

Alongside Mr. Lacy, Ralph discovered a love and passion for photography, and grew to become a gifted photographer. He bought the studio in 1976 and operated the business until he retired in 1998.

Ralph married Ruth D. Nash in Hungry Horse, on Sept. 11, 1959. Together they had five children: Rocky Lee, Rhonda Lynn, Ranae Loyce, Randall Loren, and Roderick Lane. His children hold dear the many adventures they shared with their dad; camping, fishing, hiking, and exploring the beauty of Montana whenever the chance arose. 

Ralph embraced every opportunity to be outside with his children and create special memories together.

Ralph loved being outdoors with his studio mascot, “Kodak,” a West Highland Terrier, photographing nature and fly fishing Montana’s wild rivers. 

He spent his later years digitizing studio and old family photos on his computer, devoting countless hours to creating an extensive collection of family photos that span multiple generations. His skill in restoring and preserving even the most damaged photographs has left a lasting gift to future generations as an invaluable visual history of the family he cherished.

Ralph was preceded in death by his younger brother Roger in 1946, father William in 1958, infant daughter Ranae in 1964, mother Marie in 2004, brother Robert in 2017, and sister Kathleen Barker in 2018.

Ralph is survived by his children, Rocky (Nancy) Burtsfield of Kalispell; Rhonda (Larry) Hudson of Lancaster, CA; Randy (Dani) Burtsfield of Kalispell; and Robbie Burtsfield of Kennewick, WA. 

He is also survived by his sister, Linda (James) Burton of Kalispell. Ralph had 19 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery Deer Park. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Ralph’s life on Aug. 9. Details about the time and location will be shared once finalized.