Glen Eugene Eveland, 71, and Lou Ellen Jane (Hulquist) Eveland, 65

Glen Eugene Eveland, 71, and Lou Ellen Jane (Hulquist) Eveland, 65, of Rocker, Mont., were taken from us on Jan. 21, 2009.

Glen was born on July 11, 1937, in Havre, Mont., to Wilbur and Ruth (Stipp) Eveland. Lou was born on March 31, 1943 in Woodfairie, Idaho, at her grandparent's home at Jewel Lake, which is south of Sandpoint, Idaho. Her father was Carl Hulquist and mother, Arbutus.

They were married on Aug. 1, 1960. Shortly afterward, Glen enlisted in the Army, where he was trained as a photo-lithographer and commercial photographer. During his tours of duty, he and Lou lived in Japan, Alabama, Georgia, various towns in Montana, Okinawa, Kansas and Virginia. When he retired from the service in 1976, they made their home in Rocker. Glen worked in the printing services department of the Montana Power Company until his retirement in 2000. 

Lou attended grade school in Sagle, Idaho, and high school in Sandpoint and Superior. She had a wide variety of work experiences in her early life, including working hay fields in Missoula, bartending and clerking at an IGA in Plains, Mont., and sales work at clothing and painting stores. At the time of her death, Lou was employed at Career Futures in Butte, Mont., where she had worked for several years. She took great pride in her ability to help disadvantaged individuals learn job readiness skills.

Glen and Lou were preceded in death by their mothers, Ruth Stipp Eveland and Arbutis Mercer Hulquist; Lou's father, Carl Hulquist; Glen's sister, Carol Cameron; and son-in-law, Jerry Absher. Glen and Lou are survived by their son, Colin "Bud" Eugene Eveland of South Bend, Ind.; daughter, Bonnie (Absher) Joslyn of Great Falls, Mont.; six grandchildren, Matthew Absher of Great Falls, Melissa Absher of Spokane, Wash., Mark and Liz Absher of Iraq and Great Falls, Kathleen, Aaron, and Samantha Joslyn of Great Falls; and one great-granddaughter, Rebekkah. Glen is also survived by his father, Wilbur of Chester, Mont.; brothers Lyle and Wayne of the Seattle area; sisters, Joyce Burch of Portland, Ore., and Judy Ohrt of Seattle; and nephew Steve Cameron of Chester. Lou is survived by her sisters Ruth Wilkinson of San Antonio, Texas, and Elaine Obenauer of Sagle; and brothers Richard Hulquist of Amarillo, Texas, Guy Hulquist of Sagle, Idaho, and Jan Hulquist of Missoula.

Glen and Lou were avid hunters and fishermen. They enjoyed playing pool and darts, tying flies, four-wheeling, and traveling. They were members of the Copper City CB Radio Club. Glen served on the Rocker Water Board. Lou was a long-time member of the Butte Zoning Board of Adjustment. In 2004, Lou was a recipient of the Southwest Montana Women of Distinction Award.

Glen and Lou were well-known in the Anaconda, Butte, Dillon, Rocker, Wisdom and Wise River areas for their musical gifts. Glen was a skilled guitar and mandolin player, while Lou was a talented singer and percussionist and gardener. They frequently organized jam sessions and created numerous bonds with area musicians. Their band was known as the Classic Country Jammers.

Glen was a long-time volunteer firefighter with the Rocker Volunteer Fire Department, while Lou volunteered with the Ladies Auxiliary, where she held every office, most recently as chaplain. For the past 18 years, they have quietly collected aluminum cans as a fundraiser for an eventual playground in Rocker. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Rocker Playground Fund at Glacier Bank.

Glen and Lou were strongly connected to family and friends and were dedicated to improving their community and helping others. Everyone who knew them was better for having known them. They lived with open hearts and open hands.

Cremation has taken place. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Abundance Life Fellowship, 630 W. Iron Street in Butte. A reception will immediately follow at the Depot, 818 S. Arizona, formerly the Great Northern Railroad Depot.