Lawrence Ward

Lawrence D. (Larry) Ward passed away September 2, 2020 in Kalispell after a recent brief illness.

There will be visitation and rosary Tuesday, Sept. 8th at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home 7:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held Sept. 9th, 10:30 a.m. at St. Matthew’s School Gym, please use the main street entrance.

Larry was born December 19, 1922, in Chester, Montana the sixth child of Les and Laura Martell Ward

On February 28, 1946 he married his loving wife Mary Maly Ward, together they enjoyed 74 years of caring and sharing and blessed with a wonderful family.

Larry was very active in his community and his church. He was a member of St. Matthew’s parish for more than 70 years.  He was devout in his Catholic faith and greatly comforted by it. He exuded faith and love in everything he did. He was ever grateful for all his blessings. He always had hope and trust in God, he loved the Lord with everything he had, he was a humble man.

He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for as many years, holding the offices of Grand Knight, District Deputy, State Deputy and State Master of the Fourth Degree. He was also a member of the Kalispell Twirlers/square dancers.

During World War II Larry received the Bronze Star Award, “he devised an ingenious modification of a Field Artillery support radio and a switchboard for artillery support” which is still in use today. “The ingenuity, devotion to duty displayed by Tech. Ward reflect the highest credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”

After retiring from Anaconda Aluminum and Larry’s Radio & TV, he maintained over-sight of the building and grounds of St. Matthew’s for the next 30 years retiring a second time at the age of 90. He enjoyed golfing, wood working, crafting furniture, creating treasured keepsakes, and building sanctuary furniture and a procession cross for St. Matthews Church

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Mary (Feb. 2020) Parents: Les & Laura Ward, Parent in-laws James & Emma Maly. Siblings: Walter, Aden, Vena, Stella, and Edna; Sons Daniel and Lawrence, Son in-laws: Gregg Osborne and Dan Danaher.

He was a proud father of 4 daughters and 4 sons:
Sister Marilyn Ward, Cedar Rapids, IA
Susan Danaher, Todd Scholer Kalispell
Barbara (Bob) Coccia, Newcastle, WA
Lawrence Ward – deceased
Daniel Ward – deceased
Sandra Ward, Dan Thompson, Coeur D Alene, ID
Christopher (Stephanie) Ward, Dayton, OH
Patrick (Sherry) Ward, Kalispell

Larry is also survived by his sister in-law Maxine Ward, Chester, MT and daughter in-law Janice Hesketh, Good Year, AZ and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Our family is most grateful for those who cared for Larry, especially Frontier Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthews Parish.

We are forever grateful for our Dad and the many blessings he has given to us—they are priceless and can never be replaced.  We thank God for the gift he was to all of us.