Frank Kellenbeck

Frank Arthur Kellenbeck, age 66, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Kalispell Regional Hospital. He was born March 18, 1952 in Kalispell, MT. to Vern  and Jean (Kelly) Kellenbeck.

Frank graduated high school in Orange, CA. He retired from Plum Creek Timber in Columbia Falls, MT after 40 plus years. He then worked several summers at the West Glacier Golf Course.

He married Jan Hamilton in California in 1973,  they later divorced. From this union they had two daughters; Jolene and husband Rawls Howard and grandson Rawls IV of Tarboro, NC; Aimee and husband Jeffery Wallace and two granddaughters, Lauren and Audrey of Spokane, WA.

On August 9, 2003, Frank married Melissa Kelsey at the family homestead, Kelly’s Camp, Glacier National Park, MT. From this marriage, an extended family was added; John Paul and his wife, Amy Grosch, and  granddaughter, Vivian, of Libby, MT; and Hilary and husband, Robert Edgerton, and grandson, Wyatt, of Arvada, CO.

He looked forward to going to hunting camp in the fall with his best friend, Russell La Palm. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, golfing, fishing and attending football games at the U. of M. in Missoula, MT.

In earlier years, he waterskied and enjoyed boating and teaching his children how to ski on his beloved Lake McDonald at the Kelly Camp Homestead in Glacier National Park. He spent many summers hosting family and friends and visiting with long time residents at the OO Cabin.

He was a volunteer fireman for Coram, West Glacier Fire Dept. for over 30 years. He was instrumental in building the future new Coram, West Glacier Fire Hall in Coram, MT. He also organized the Annual Fireman’s Ball fundraiser. He helped with the Lion Lake kids fishing derby in Hungry Horse, MT and participated in the adopt-a-highway clean-up for several years.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Vern  and Jean (Kelly) Kellenbeck.

He is survived by  his loving wife, Melissa, brother; Robert Kellenbeck and wife, Sara of Great Falls, MT ; sister, Ann Donnelly and husband, Greg, of Big Fork, MT; and numerous cousins and nephews.

Memorials may be made in memory of Frank to the Coram, West Glacier Fire Department, P.O. Box 162, West Glacier, MT 59936.

A memorial Celebration of his Life will be held at the Kellenbeck residence, July 20, 2019 at 1:00 P.M.

I would like to extend a special thank you to KRH Emergency and I.C.U. staff for all their efforts and also the first responders.

Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.