Paul Raymond Tutvedt, 86
Paul Raymond Tutvedt went to join the love of his life in heaven on Aug. 16, 2018.
He was born in a farmhouse on Sept. 8, 1931, to Hans and Andora Tutvedt in Kalispell. He was raised on the family farm in the West Valley area. He graduated from Flathead County High School and earned his agriculture education degree at Montana State University-Bozeman.
After marrying Sharon Lee (Boe) on Nov. 7, 1959, they lived on the farm in the West Valley area, which is now managed and owned by the three sons. Paul and Sharon were members of the Stillwater Free Lutheran Church. Paul would rarely miss a Sunday, as church was very important to him. Paul and Sharon became snowbirds in the fall of 1994 and became very active in the Sunbird Community Church in Chandler, Arizona. Speaking came easily to him and he had a way with words; so, over the years, he enjoyed filling in for the pastor at church.
His gift of speaking/listening gave him many opportunities to serve on numerous boards and committees. He was chairman of the County Extension Advisory Committee and FFA board, chairman of the Stillwater Lutheran Church Council for many years, chairman of the Equity Scholarship Committee, served on the Flathead County Planning board, served on the High School and College Realignment Committee, served on the Flathead Youth Foundation, was on the Vo-Ag Education committee, chairman of the Western Montana Stockman, served 12 years on the District 5 School board (chairman for six of those years), 10 years on the Kalispell Regional Hospital board (five years as chairman and six months as acting CEO). He was a speaker for the Montana State Bankers. Paul was also a sales representative for Harvestore in Montana. He was a lifetime member of the Stillwater Grange and spent 12 years in the National Guard. Ag was his passion, whether raising crops or growing cattle. Harvest was his favorite time of year; bringing in the crops and rounding up the cattle from summer pastures.
Survivors are his three sons, Craig and Kim Tutvedt, and his children, Breann, Taylor and Will, and their mother, Michelle; David Tutvedt; and Brian and Suzanne Tutvedt, and their children, Megan, Garrett, Nate and Boe; and Thelma, sister, and Harold, brother, all of Kalispell; along with three great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans and Andora Tutvedt; a sister, Doris Knox; and his wife, Sharon Tutvedt.
A celebration of life will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church in Kalispell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Ten Commandments Fund (a benevolent fund that Paul started many years ago that is used in the community for those in times of need) at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, 1401 Church Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901.