Walter E. Ingraham
On Nov. 19, 2012 with his bride of 54 years in his arms and his family’s love at his side, Walter E. Ingraham slipped peacefully from this life to the next with the Lord in heaven.
Walt was born in Pablo on May 9, 1936 to Ronald and Evelyn Ingraham. He spent his early childhood in Pablo and Olney before honorably serving in the U.S. Marine Corp.
Shortly after his discharge, he returned to Olney and the love of his life, Bessie Ann Hunnewell. They were married Dec. 21, 1957 and blessed with eight children. He was a professional logger which gave the family an opportunity to move to a variety of locations in the northwest. Olney was always home to the family.
His passions were spending time in the outdoors with his family fishing, hunting and running a chain saw. He always made it a priority to attend all sporting events his children and grandchildren were involved in. He was so proud of each and everyone of them, he was a family man. He could often be found reading Lois L’Amour, listening to country music and watching western movies all at the same time.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bessie Ann Ingraham; eight children, Debra (Eldon) Eveland, Ervin (Arleen) Ingraham, Brenda (Fred) Fredrickson, Janet (Kenneth) Bridges, Rick (Pam) Ingraham, David Ingraham, Jody (Amy) Ingraham and Tonya Ingraham; 13 grandchildren, Jeffery, Eric, Travis, Tiffany (Sean), Andrew, Christopher, Brandon, Deidre, Brynn, Conner, Qynn, Kyiah and Ansen; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Isaac and Taylor; brother, Vernon; and two sisters, Donna and Beverly; and many friends from the community.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald Jr.; and granddaughter, Emily Eveland.
A service of remembrance was held at the Austin Funeral home in Whitefish on Nov. 24. Interment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls.
In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to the Walter Ingraham memorial fund set up at Whitefish Credit Union, PO Box 37, Whitefish, MT 59937
You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Walt’s tribute wall.