Michael Lawrence Ratterree, 71

Michael passes away peacefully Monday, May 1, 2017, from lung cancer, at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

He was born July 14, 1945, to Allen and Patricia Ratterree in Santa Monica, California.

When Michael was born, there were few resources available for parents of developmentally disabled children. He was taken care of by a tiny Scottish woman who taught Michael to read and keep very clean. She also imparted to him great manners. When Michael was 7 he went to live at Tujunga Highland School for several happy years and he developed a great love for swimming and diving. Unfortunately, he spent the next 10 years in Camarillo State Hospital, which was a less than positive experience. It was there that he was introduced to smoking.

Even though Michael had a tough beginning he developed a cheerful, grateful spirit and he always loved meeting new people. He had a great memory for names and took great pride in greeting everyone by name. He knew no stranger. He also relished being admitted to the hospital for there he could meet and greet many new friends.

When Michael was 21 he was placed in a group home in Los Angeles and after his sister Patti and her husband Robin moved to Montana he would spend summers with them in the Flathead Valley, and in 1976 Michael spent a month with them in Kona, Hawaii, while they were with Youth with a Mission. He was thrilled to be able to swim and snorkel in the tropical water. He was put on the waiting list for Flathead Industries, which provides working and living opportunities for the developmentally disabled. After being mugged in L.A. he was quickly relocated to Kalispell and eventually able to be a part of Flathead Industries where he worked for many years.

About 15 years ago he quit smoking after many attempts and he loved to tell people he was smoke free. Smoking had taken its toll on Michael’s health and four and a half years ago he went to live at Immanuel Lutheran Home where he made many new friends and was very contented.

Michael loved his family and his Lord Jesus. He will be very missed by all.

We are so thankful that he passed very quickly and relatively painlessly. Last Friday he was on an outing at Sykes’ Restaurant and three days later “he was ushered into heaven.” Such an amazing answer to prayer.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents.

Michael is survived by his sister, Patti Graham, and her husband, Robin, of Somers; his niece, Quimby Wilson, and her husband, Doug, and their three children, Luke, Isaiah and Annika from Newport, Oregon; and his nephew, Benjamin Graham, and his wife, Maggie, and their two children Maya and Toviah from Somers.

A celebration of Michael’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Everyone is invited.