Fred Hartson

Fred C. Hartson passed away on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Whitefish.

Fred was born July 10, 1927, in Hamilton to Harley and Evelyn Hartson. Fred joined the Navy Seabees right out of high school and served during World War II and was deployed to the Admiralty Islands in the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to Kalispell. He went to work for the Montana State Highway Department in engineering.

He met the love of his life, Marilyn Kelly, in Glendive while he was working for the Highway Department. They were married in Glendive. They were married for 65 years. They had two daughters, Patricia Ann Harris of McMinnville, Oregon, and Kathryn Lynn Eskestrand of Kalispell. Fred was a loving husband and father, and he had a host of friends.

In 1953 they moved to Havre and lived there for 36 years. Fred worked for Baltrusch Construction for many years before becoming the director of Public Works for the city of Havre until his retirement. Upon his retirement he and Marilyn moved to West Glacier where they resided for 22 years. They lived on the golf course and loved the beauty of the area and made many friends there. They also spent many winters in Tucson, Arizona, and enjoyed good times and good friends there, as well. In 2009 they moved to Kalispell. In 201 5 they moved to The Springs in Whitefish.

One thing Fred was quite proud of was the fact that Marcus Daly brought Fred’s grandfather, William Fullerton, to Hamilton to take care of the shoeing of the horses at the Daly Mansion.

Fred is survived by his daughters, Patty (Bob) and Kathy (Louie); his grandchildren, Kelly, Jason, Jessica, Adam and Amy. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Erin, Bobby, Zoey, Alex, Violet and Grayson. He was blessed with a great-great-grandson, Lewis, in August.

His wife Marilyn and his brothers Jim and Babe preceded him in death.

There will be a private family graveside service later this summer and Fred and Marilyn will be buried together, as per their request.

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