Julie ‘Julz’ Marjorie Kaneen, 31, of Kalispell, passed away suddenly on the morning of Feb. 22, 2015.
Julie was born in Whitefish on Nov. 26, 1983, to William “Bill” and Ellen Ann Kaneen of Kalispell. She attended Glacier Christian Academy through sixth grade, started public school in Columbia Falls in seventh grade and continued on to graduate from Columbia Falls High School, Class of 2003. During that time she played many sports including volleyball, soccer, basketball and softball where she was awarded a Most Valuable Player Award. Julie then started college at Flathead Valley Community College and graduated Class of 2005, with an Associates of Arts degree.
Julie was proud to have followed her Mom, Ellen, in being part of the Glacier National Park family as a park ranger for the campgrounds. She also worked at Big R/Murdoch’s, Candy Bar Ranch and Flathead Concrete.
She had a great sense of humor and was always up for a good joke. Everyone knew she didn’t like to be teased. Julie enjoyed the outdoors but especially loved fishing, boating and camping. She treasured time spent with family, and especially her nieces MaKenzie and Erika whom she treated like her own.
Julie is survived by her parents, Bill and Ellen Kaneen of Kalispell; brothers, Brad (Connie) of Corona, California, and John and Jason, both of Kalispell; maternal grandmother, Marjorie Hanson of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota; aunt, Jean (Robert) Varholdt of Barnsville, Minnesota; uncles, Donald (Colette) Hanson of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, Ronald (Lorie) Hanson of East Grand Forks, Minnesota, and John (Linda) Hanson of Hungry Horse; nephew, Seth Kaneen of Corona; nieces, Shelby Kaneen of Corona, and MaKenzie Kaneen and Erika Kaneen, both of Columbia Falls; cousins, Travis, Rhonda, Brittney, Megan, Courtney, Joey and Tiffany; and her beloved fiancé and best friend, Karl Hoffman of Kalispell.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Robert and Marjorie Kaneen; maternal grandfather, Jarhl Hanson of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota; and brother, Ryan Kaneen of West Yellowstone.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Friends and family are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.