Raymond L. Managhan, 94

Raymond L. Managhan, 94, passed away Monday, March 27, 2006, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

He was born Dec. 19, 1911, in Kalispell to Robert and Minnie (Pierson) Managhan. Ray was one of eight children, including two half-brothers and one half-sister. He attended Batavia School in Smith Valley and worked on his family's farm while he was growing up.

On Dec. 9, 1933, Ray married Bernice Iverson in Kalispell. They recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

Ray worked as a logger and farmer for many years. In 1938 he worked for Bev Lester and helped with the first two rail carloads of Christmas trees ever shipped from the Kalispell area. In 1940 they moved to a farm in the Deer Park area east of Kalispell, where he farmed and raised dairy cattle. In 1950 they moved back to a farm in Smith Valley where they also had a dairy herd.

Ray began in 1958 working for the Soil Conservation Office in Kalispell, and in 1961 he went to work for the Flathead County Reclassification Office. On Jan. 1, 1963, Ray was elected to the Office of Assessor of Flathead County. He held that office for 12 years, retiring in January 1974. He also held the office of state president of assessors for one year.

After retiring, Ray spent several years volunteering for the RSVP and the Kalispell Senior Center. He also served a term as a senior legislator in Helena. In 1984 he was presented with the state award of the Area IX Senior Citizen of the year.

Ray was a charter member of the Kalispell Moose Lodge, serving on the first board of officers. He was also a member of the Kalispell Eagles, he served on the school boards of Deer Park and Boorman Schools; he was also active with local 4-H clubs.

During retirement Ray and Bernice spent time traveling throughout the United States and Canada.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers and three sisters; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice Managhan, at the family farm in Kalispell; three sons, Ray Managhan of Whitefish, Robert Managhan of Spokane, and Richard Managhan of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three daughters, Faye Freeman of Kalispell, Thelma Diciocco of Libby, and Patty Binegar of Houston, Texas; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; also numerous other relatives.

Funeral services for Raymond L. Managhan will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel, with Dr. David Kauffman officiating, with burial afterward at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Johnson Mortuary.

The family suggests donations be made in Ray's name to the donor's choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Raymond's family.