Tanner Kolodejchuk

Tanner Robert Kolodejchuk, 22, died on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007 at the Columbia Falls home of his Aunt Brenda and Uncle Dave Stewart from medical complications.

Tanner was born on Jan. 3, 1985 in Whitefish to Shirley and Arlen Kolodejchuk. He attended grade school at Canyon Elementary School and graduated from Columbia Falls High School with top honors in 2003. He attended the University of Utah for three years, majoring in mechanical engineering, and was loved by his Aunt Paula and cousin Emily Daniels while in Salt Lake.

Tanner loved to learn and had a passion for knowledge. He jumped full throttle into everything he attempted including perfecting catching 10 buoys on his favorite water ski course, working on his trucks and body building. Tanner was Mr. Junior Big Sky — winning the first body building contest he entered in 2003. He loved to show his muscles.

He loved to build things from his LEGO creations as a little boy to his most recent passion, construction. He loved spending hours with his Uncle Dave learning about building while living with Dave, his Aunt Brenda and cousin Cody.

Tanner had many friends and loved spending time going out and enjoying their company. He especially loved planning and taking trips with his Aunt Kathy, where his dreams came true. He looked up to and admired his older brother, Timber, who thought the world of his little brother and loved to brag about him to all his friends.

Tanner endured a life battle with diabetes and had suffered many close calls with his health this past year. Like everything he ever did he worked as hard as he could to overcome the disease.

Tanner was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Izzy and Eileen Kolodejchuk and his cousin, Jake Davis. He is survived by his parents, Shirley and Arlen Kolodejchuk; brother Timber and Katy (Yost); maternal grandparents Jerry and Eleanor Bell; adopted sister Caitlan Woods; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins whom he loved dearly. Tanner will be greatly missed by everyone whose life he ever touched, especially his family.

A viewing was held at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls on Friday, Oct. 12.

Funeral services were held at the Canyon Elementary School multi-purpose building in Hungry Horse on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The family would especially like to thank the Three Rivers Quick Response Unit and the Flathead Valley Alert for all their efforts over the past year in helping Tanner. Anyone wishing to make a contribution please do so to either the Three Rivers QRU or the American Diabetes Association.

Keith Buzzell

Keith Curtis Buzzell, 73, passed away on Oct. 7, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born to Curtis and Martha Buzzell (Staples) in Havre on March 24, 1934.

He moved with his family to Coram in 1947 and attended school in Columbia Falls. He married Carol, his wife of 53 years, in 1954. They lived, worked and raised four children in Columbia Falls and later retired in the Lakeside/Kalispell area.

Keith spent 37 years of his career at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, retiring from the Employee Relations department in 1992. Keith's interests included building several homes of quality workmanship and assisting his children and grandchildren with numerous building and construction projects. He was a man who was well respected and very giving and generous in spirit.

He was preceded in death by his son, Danny, his father, Curtis, and brother, Art. He is survived by his wife, Carol, of Kalispell; his 95-year-old mother, Martha Buzzell, of Coram; son Rick (Leanne) Buzzell and their children, Teri, Lacey, Gabe, Caleb and Josh of Columbia Falls; daughter Dawn (Gary) Martin of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and their children, Cody, Val and Danny Bothun; daughter Lynette (Todd) Skinner of Eatonville, Wash., and their children, Mike and Geena Welch. Keith has 10 great-grandchildren with two more making their appearance in 2008.

Keith is also survived by his siblings, sisters Luann Copeland of Helena and Joyce Jensen of Valley, Wash., and brothers Bill Buzzell of Big Sky and Dewayne Buzzell of Spokane, Wash.

Viewing was held Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Columbia Mortuary, Columbia Falls. Services were held on Thursday, Oct. 11 at New Covenant Fellowship in Kalispell, officiated by Pastor Don Burleson. Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.

The family requested that donations and memorials go to Hospice of Kalispell, Brendan House or a charity of your choice.