Allen Ray Ream, 79

Allen Ray Ream “went to be with his Lord and Savior” on Aug. 19, 2017, after losing his 45-year battle with Huntington’s disease.

Allen was born to Marlin and Alice (Evenson) Ream of Bigfork on July 22, 1938. He attended Swan River Elementary School when it was a two-room schoolhouse.

After graduating from Bigfork High School, Allen joined the Navy. It was during this time that he met and married Catherine Potteiger, his wife of 55 years.

After returning to Montana, Allen attended television repair school in Anaconda. He then took a job with Melby’s and moved his growing family to Columbia Falls. When Melby’s closed their appliance department, Allen went to work for Sloan’s of Kalispell. Over his years as an appliance repairman, Allen helped many people in the valley.

Allen accepted Christ as his Savior while watching a Billy Graham crusade in the late ‘60s. He then started taking his family to church at the First Baptist Church. He was an active member there until his death.

In addition to serving in his church, Allen enjoyed fishing, boating, camping and many other outdoor activities with his family.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Marlin Jr., and wife Vera; sister, Eva Brabender, and husband Jack; in-laws, John and Margaret Potteiger; and several nephews and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy; his children, Terri (Phil) English of Stockton, California, Allen Jr. (Michelle) of Columbia Falls, Heidi (Chris) Gaub of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, and Amy Ream of Kalispell. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with one on the way; his sister, Leona (Lou) Udall, of Great Falls; several aunts and uncles; in-laws, John Potteiger, Les Potteiger and Peggy Potteiger, all of Pennsylvania; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at First Baptist Church located at 827 9th Street West, Columbia Falls. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens, and a luncheon will be served at the church at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church building fund.

To send a note of condolence to the family, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com. Columbia Mortuary is caring for the Ream family.