Michael William Steckler, 60

Michael William Steckler, 60, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma (asbestos-caused) lung cancer for almost two years.

Mike was born in Bismarck, N.D., on Nov. 2, 1945, to Gregory and Marjorie (Morgenstern) Steckler. As a young child Mike moved with his family to Seattle, where he grew up and attended schools.

He graduated from Franklin High School in 1963 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1966 after serving aboard the aircraft carrier Oriskany during the Vietnam War.

Mike worked as a pipe fitter for Todd Shipyards in Seattle for 12 years, before moving to Whitefish, in 1979, to pursue his favorite pastime of hunting. It was there he met and married his wife, Dee, and his son, Greg, was born. He and his wife recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Mike worked for several summers at Glacier National Park as a plumber and painter before acquiring the position of maintenance engineer at Kalispell School District 5. He was employed there over 20 years until he retired due to illness.

Mike spent many hours hunting with his son Greg, and with brother-in-law and good friend, Kent Johnson.

He never missed a hunting season and taught himself the art of taxidermy to preserve his trophies along with those of friends and family. Mike also enjoyed collecting sports cards with his son Greg.

Mike was a wonderful husband, father and friend — always someone you could count on. He dearly loved his family and considered them to be most important in his life. He will be loved and deeply missed by his family and will always be held dearly in their hearts and memories.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother; a brother, Jon; and stepbrother, Bill Munday.

He is survived by his wife, Dee, of Whitefish; son, Greg, of Bozeman; his father, Gregory Steckler, and stepmother, Virginia, of Tenino, Wash.; his sister, Jane Bergsma, and husband, Frank, of Seattle; brother, Dennis Steckler, and wife, Janette, of Friday Harbor, Wash.; stepsister, Janna Johnson, and husband, Kent, of Big Sandy; stepsister, Loretta LaRue, of Kent, Wash.; his beloved godmother and aunt, Bertha Nuetz, of Bismarck; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held by the family at a later date.

Memorials can be made to Home Options (Hospice), 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; Wings, P.O. Box 7822, Kalispell, MT 59904; or a charity of your choice.

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