Lauren Gerald Granmo

Lauren Gerald Granmo, 76, passed away Oct. 12, 2007, at his home in Kalispell.

He was born Aug. 12, 1931, in Missoula, to Andrew and Lillie (Schoholm) Granmo.

Lauren moved with his family to Kalispell when he was a sophomore. After graduating from Flathead High School in 1949, he enlisted in the Navy, serving in Guam and Washington, D.C. He was honorably discharged in 1954.

Upon returning to Kalispell, Lauren met Theora "Teddy" Paola at Penney's. They were married on Aug. 7, 1955, in Kalispell. The couple then moved to Bozeman, where they both attended Montana State University. Their son John was born in 1956.

Lauren graduated with a bachelor's in electrical engineering in 1959. He worked in several locations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe over the next 10 years, most notably for Honeywell, developing the autopilot for the F104.

Returning to Kalispell in 1965, Lauren worked for his father-in-law at John Paola, Inc., a contracting company, until he and Teddy purchased the KM Gift and China Shop in 1973. They operated the store until 1985.

Lauren last worked with Morrison & Maierle before retiring in 2005 due to health reasons.

He served in many service organizations over the years and was well respected for his time on the Kalispell City Council. He and Teddy loved to travel and had opportunities to visit Central America and South America as well as Canada and Alaska.

Lauren is survived by his wife of 52 years, Theora "Teddy" Granmo, of Kalispell; son John Granmo, of Seattle; granddaughter Tyfanie Granmo, of Bozeman; brother Delmar Granmo, of Whitefish; sister Diane Hall, of Missoula; and special friends Christopher and Tamela Galloway.

Funeral services took place Oct. 20, 2007, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Rusty Halaas officiating. Burial followed in the Glacier Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Dialysis Clinic Patient Fund, 135 Commons Way, Kalispell MT 59901.