Former Whitefish resident Edward “Eddie” Malmin passed away at his home in Pendleton, Oregon, on Sept. 3, 2014.
He was born on Jan. 21, l943, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Erling and Esther Malmin.
He grew up in the Bode and Ottosen, Iowa area, and graduated from Twin Rivers High School in Bode in l961, where he participated in football and baseball. He also served in the National Guard and was a founding member of the Chi Centra music group. Eddie farmed in the area until December of l981, when the family moved to Whitefish.
Edward thoroughly enjoyed farming, gardening, working in the woods and fishing with his children. Most of all, he loved his grandkids and cherished pictures of the kids as they continued to grow. His children and grandchildren shared his love of sports. He looked forward to the trips back to the Flathead Valley and the opportunity to watch his grandkids participate in their activities.
On Feb. 4, 2005, he married Jean Harding and has since resided in Pendleton.
Edward is survived by his wife, Jean of Pendleton; son, Ryan and his wife Shannon of Kalispell; son, Nathan and his wife Kelly of Kalispell; stepson, Michael and his wife Vonda Harding of Kalispell; stepdaughter, Mary and husband Billy Zogg of Troutdale, Oregon; son-in-law, Dr. Steve Eckert of Terre Haute, Indiana; grandsons, Walker, Jonah, Dylan, Shane, Eric and Garry, and granddaughters, Ande, Kaysie, Ava, Geri and Jessica; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; former wife, Marcia Dale Malmin of Kalispell; brother, Martin of Minneapolis; sister, Marilyn Betz of Humboldt, Iowa; sister, Carolyn Nielsen of Des Moines, Iowa; and a myriad of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Malmin Eckert; his brother, David; and his parents.
A viewing will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Buffalo Hills Funeral Home, and a graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., on Sept. 10 at the Fairview Cemetery in Kalispell.
“Eddie, Dad and Grandpa will be truly missed.”
Funeral arrangements are provided by Buffalo Hills Funeral Home.