Roger H. Ganiere

Roger Henry Ganiere, 89, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at Lake View Care Center in Bigfork.

He was born to Henry and Katherine (Fischer) Ganiere in Amboy, Minn., on Sept. 4, 1920. They moved to New Richland, Minn., in 1929 where he finished schooling. Roger worked on the family farm until 1942 when he married Vita Virginia Bertelson in Albert Lea, Minn. They moved to Columbia Falls in 1943.

From 1944 to 1947, Roger served in WWII as a member of the 103rd Division 40th Infantry in Europe and fought in the Battle of Bulge. He was honorably discharged in February 1947. After his discharge, he worked on the construction of Hungry Horse Dam as a diamond driller and then went on to work for Montana State Highway Department for 30 years until his retirement.

Roger was "easy to love." He was a hard worker and a great family man who never forgot birthdays or anniversaries. His spare time was taken up caring for his beautiful and neat home and yard. The coffee pot was always on and friends were always welcome.

Roger is survived by his two sons, James and Sharrie Ganiere of Moses Lake, Wash., and John and Donna Ganiere of Bigfork. He has four living grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Robert and Leslie Ganiere and daughter Tiffany; Debra and Rey Ornelas with children Milani, Nakai and Keilanni; daughter-in-law Carol Ganiere and her three children, Gary, Crystal, and Carli; Kristine Arndt; and Michelle and Jesse Remington with children Blake, Sierra and Brayden. He also has numerous nieces and nephews with families in Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia; one grandson, Kenneth Ganiere of Moses Lake, Wash.; his four brothers Ernest, Charles, George and Albert, his sister Barbara, and one sister who died in infancy.

Internment of the ashes with military honors will be held at noon Jan. 2 at Glacier Memorial Gardens followed with a celebration of life service at the Bigfork United Methodist Church at 2 p.m.