Frank Ellman

Frank "Bud" Ellman, 82, passed away June 4, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

He was born April 22, 1926, in Hinsdale, the son of John and Barbara (Cambell) Ellman. He attended school in Charlo and Columbia Falls High School.

Bud joined the Navy and was stationed on the USS General Omar Bundy where he served in both the Pacific and Asiatic theaters of World War II. Five of his brothers and sisters were serving in the military at this same time.

On Nov. 5, 1955, Bud married Marylou Toelke at the old St. Richard's Church in Columbia Falls. They were married for 52 years before Bud's passing.

After the war, Bud worked in the woods, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Union Natural Gas Company. He also worked for Glacier National Park as a horse concessionaire for more than 20 years. During the fall months, he would work as an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. During the winter months, Bud worked at the Glacier Park Boat Builders.

Bud was a charter member of the Saddle Club and the Rocky Mountain Riders. Of the original charter members, only six remain today.

He held positions on the area planning, weed control and the animal shelter boards. The animal shelter had been closed, but through Bud's work, the shelter reopened. He continued this endeavor for a short time after the reopening.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jack, Ray, Pat and Jim; and sisters Mary, Lorene and Donna.

He is survived by his wife Marylou, of Columbia Fails; sons Scott ElIman and wife Sara, of Kennewick, Wash., and Brian ElIman, of Whitefish; sister Marge Sklodo and husband Stan, of Aberdeen, Wash., twin sister Fran Gardner and husband Dale, of Valley Spring, Calif., and sister Katie Lundstrom, of Columbia Falls; brother Sam Ellman and wife Frankie, of Columbia Falls; sister-in-law Margaret Ellman, of Columbia Falls; brother-in-law, Bob Toelke and wife Donna, of Ronan; oldest and special friends Don Doane and Pat McVay; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will take place on Friday June 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Falls Food Bank in Bud's name.