Ivan E. Jones

Ivan E. Jones died at the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls on April 14. Ivan was born Dec. 29, 1923, in Winona, Wash., to Charles and Viola Jones. He graduated from Winona High School in 1942 and joined the Army in February of 1943. He was assigned to the European Theater as an Anti-Aircraft Artilleryman with 309th. He received a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Ivan returned to the Northwest and eventually settled in Kalispell. He married Doreen Polriez in 1952. Two children, Vickie and Randy, soon followed. The couple later divorced. Ivan married Lorraine (Johnson) Bauska in 1965. They were married 18 years. After she passed away, Ivan married Ruth McDonald in 1984.

Ivan worked as a deliveryman for the Propane Company of Kalispell in the early 1950’s, driving to Eureka, up Bad Rock Canyon, down to Polson and all places in between. He later landed his ideal job with the Water Department of Kalispell as a repairman. After 25 years at the water works, he retired to his new home and shop on acreage in Dayton. He enjoyed landscaping and growing trees. Ivan loved to fish, which meant his goal was always to be outside the city limits five minutes after quitting time on Fridays, heading for the best fishing of the season or to the Flathead Lake place at Cherry Hill. He was particularly fond of opening day on Lake Mary Ronan. During retirement, he took up ice fishing there. Ivan was an incessant tinkerer. All his friends and family have received the gift of a cuckoo clock he built from his store of parts and pieces that he collected or manufactured in his shop.

Ivan is survived by his wife Ruth; son, Randy; step-sons, Ken (Vickie) Bauska, Scott (Kathleen) Bauska; step-daughter, Janice (Jimmy) Gietzen; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vickie Townsend; and wife, Lorraine Jones. Ivan’s family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care he received at the Vet’s Home and especially the help of Doug and Barb. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Columbia Mortuary is caring for Ivan’s family. You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Ivan’s tribute wall.