EMIL STRUCK obituary

KALISPELL - Emil E. "Bud" Struck, 75, died Sunday, March 13, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center due to complications of diabetes.

A service was held March 19 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with the Rev. Larry Stappler officiating. Burial was at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Bud was born Feb. 18, 1930, on a homestead south of Malta to Emil and Emma Struck. In 1936, the family moved to Kalispell and lived near the Flathead River on East Cottonwood Drive. Bud attended Flathead County High School. At 17, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a military policeman stationed in Germany.

On Dec. 24, 1949, he married Eva Mossgraber in Bruchsal, Germany. They returned to the United States in March 1950 and resided in Kalispell.

Bud spent 23 years working as a boat builder for Lee Craft Marina and enjoyed taking the hand-crafted boats to regional shows. In 1966, he and his family started Spruce Park Campground on land he owned near the Flathead River. Bud and Eva continued to run the business until 1972. They separated after 24 years of marriage.

On Nov. 24, 1973, he married Shirley. They spent much of their marriage working together in jointly owned businesses. Together they owned Glacier Builders and spent many ears building numerous homes in the valley. In 1980, they started their potato business, growing and preparing potatoes to service local restaurants. In recent years, Bud operated Sweet Treats during the summer and enjoyed seeing the happy faces of children who bought his ice cream.

Bud enjoyed fishing, woodworking, picnicking in Glacier Park and socializing over coffee at Cislos.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Kalispell; son, Gary (Debbie) of Kalispell; stepson, Byron (Cindy) Bruns of Reno, Nev.; stepdaughter, Mandy (Jeff) Foster of Anchorage, Alaska; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four stepgrandchildren; nephews, Darvin (Bonnie) Struck of Kalispell, and Bob (Edna) Kuhn and Bill (Cerita) Kuhn of Havre; nieces, Lois Kuhn, Leona Olson and Evelyn (Lee) Anderson, all of Havre, and Linda (Mike) Thackeray; and numerous family members in Minnesota.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church music and organ fund.