Donald Robert Stewart, 75

Donald Robert Stewart, of Arlee, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017,

He was born at home in Hutchinson Township, North Dakota, on Aug. 8, 1941, to Donald and Alice Stewart. He attended schools in St. John, North Dakota, and after the family moved to Seattle, attended Ballard High School. Don was in the U.S Army. from 1963 to 1966.

Don met Anne Kunda from Kalispell, in Ballard, in 1966 and they were married in 1967. They would have been married 50 years on Aug. 26.

Don was an auto mechanic for S.L. Savidge, then Northwest Chrysler/Plymouth through December 1970, then moved to Missoula to work for 93 Chrysler until 1974. Don worked at Lolo Auto Service before doing ranch mechanic work. He then worked for Glacier National Park as a heavy equipment mechanic at West Glacier and St. Mary’s until he retired in 2005.

Don loved to hunt and fish, supplying the family with delicious venison, elk and trout. He talked about the days in North Dakota going with his brothers and cousins to get food for the family. When he met Anne, they water-skied together through the years with their sons, family and friends at Flathead Lake. Traveling to visit relatives was always on the agenda, especially his Mom Alice and son Donald in Washington, his son Brian and family in Idaho and many other friends and relatives in Montana and elsewhere. Don would drive home from Glacier Park, load up the family and Anne and he would drive all night to get to his destination.

He was a great follower of his sons’ school endeavors of football, wrestling, track, music and plays. Donald and Brian always made their parents proud.

Don always loved his racing days in Missoula and Polson raceways. He also loved to have the 1955 Chevrolets restored and running well. Going to swap meets with his brothers and his nephew Sheridan Wise was big on his retirement list. He was always looking for the “best deal.”

Don leaves his wife, Anne, at the family home in Arlee; sons Donald James of Seattle, and Brian Leo (Amy Rohyans Stewart) of Boise, Idaho; Mom Alice, of Sedro-Woolley, Washington; brothers, Duncan of Marysville, Bill of Stanwood, Gary (Barbara) of Maple Valley, Washington, Charles (Julie) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Darryl (Becky) of Moses Lake, Washington; grandson, Isaac, of Bellevue and Seattle; granddaughters, Vienna and Annelise of Boise; his exchange student sons, Francois of France, Martin of Denmark, Tae of Korea and Dion of Indonesia; many nieces and nephews, close cousins, especially Yankee; and many friends including Ira, Mel, Bill and Del.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald J. Stewart, an infant sister, grandparents Duncan and Isabelle Stewart, and Belle and Leo Gordon, and many uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.

Memories and the rosary will be celebrated from 6 to 9 p.m. today, May 5, at the Sacred Heart Church in Arlee. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at the St. Ignatius Mission in St. Ignatius.

Your prayers, cards and condolences are welcomed and appreciated.

Donations may be made to the St. Ignatius Mission, Arlee Senior Center, or a charity of your choice.