Michael Steckler

Michael William Steckler, 60, passed away July 26, 2006, at Health Center Northwest, in Kalispell, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma (asbestos caused) lung cancer for almost two years.

Mike was born in Bismarck, N.D., on Nov. 2, 1945, to Gregory and Marjorie (Morgenstern) Steckler. As a young child, Mike moved with his family to Seattle, where he grew up and attended schools. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1963 and enlisted in the Navy. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1966 after serving aboard the aircraft carrier Oriskany during the Vietnam War.

Mike worked as a pipe fitter for Todd Shipyards in Seattle for 12 years, before moving to Whitefish in 1979 to pursue his favorite pastime of hunting. There he met and married his wife Dee and his son Greg was born. He and his wife recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Mike worked for several summers at Glacier National Park as a plumber and painter before acquiring the position of maintenance engineer at Kalispell School District 5. He was employed there more than 20 years until he retired due to illness.

Mike spent many hours hunting with his son Greg and his brother-in-law and good friend Kent Johnson. He never missed a hunting season and taught himself the art of taxidermy to preserve his trophies along with those of friends and family. Mike also enjoyed collecting sports cards with his son Greg.

Mike was a wonderful husband, father and friend — always someone you could count on. He dearly loved his family and considered them to be most important in his life. He will be loved and deeply missed by his family and will always be held dearly in their hearts and memories.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother; his brother Jon; and stepbrother Bill Munday.

He is survived by his wife Dee, of Whitefish; son Greg, of Bozeman; father Gregory Steckler and stepmother Virginia, of Tenino, Wash.; sister Jane Bergsma and husband Frank, of Seattle; brother Dennis Steckler and wife Janette, of Friday Harbor, Wash.; stepsister Janna Johnson and husband Kent, of Big Sandy; stepsister Loretta LaRue, of Kent, Wash.; beloved godmother and aunt Bertha Nuetz, of Bismarck, N.D.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held by the family at a later date.

Memorials can be made to Home Options (Hospice), 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell MT 59901; Wings, P.O. Box 7822, Kalispell MT 59904; or a charity of choice.