Memorial service honors former newspaper owner

Dozens were in attendance Sunday afternoon as long-time Polson newspaper owner and editor Paul Fugleberg was remembered at a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church.

Friends, family and colleagues came to honor Fugleberg, who owned the Flathead Courier in Polson from 1963-1980.

After an opening that included the singing of “Amazing Grace” and a beautiful piano solo of Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” by Fugleberg’s granddaughter, Claire Hinther, Fugleberg was remembered by his brother and sons.

Fugleberg was remembered by his brother, Norman Wright, as a man who “left behind a legacy and showed us all how to live as a Christian.” Wright said the two shared a bond as writers, both lost a son and a wife in their lifetimes, and shared much laughter and tears together over the years.

Fugleberg’s son, Alan, remembered his father as a man full of unconditional love, who lived by the mantra to “be good, work hard, and have fun – though not necessarily in that order.”

Tom Fugleberg spoke of his father’s love of his community, his church and Montana. He told of Paul’s empathy for animals and the kindness and gentleness that he showed with all living things. Mark Fugleberg echoed his brother’s comments, telling of how his father had decided to rebrand the “Flathead Lake Monster” as “Montana’s Nessie,” because he felt that monster was too harsh of a word.

The three all remembered how the family worked on the newspaper in one way or another, be it taking photos or selling subscriptions in the 4th of July parade. Mark recalled that a 25-mile car ride with his father meant 25 stops, because “there is a story in everything.”

Pastor Dave Anson remembered Paul as an industrious, fair and hopeful man who was very good with puns. Anson described Paul as a man who knew the power of a newspaper and how it should be used to build up a community and not to tear it down.

Anson said Paul’s life could be summed up by the John Wesley quote, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. All the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

“Paul never wearied of doing what was right,” Anson said.