Kenneth James Spaid

Kenneth James Spaid was born on September 15th, 1949. Ken was the second of three sons to John and Pearl Spaid (older brother John was born in April of 1947, and younger brother Mike was born in August of 1961). Ken was enrolled in a special school program as a young man that had him enter high school at the age of 12 (no, that’s not a typo) and graduated four years later at the age of 16 from Hellgate High School in 1966. Ken entered the United States Army at the age of 17 and did his Basic Training in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Upon completing his Basic Training, Ken went to school in New Jersey for Radio Communications, and then on to Fort Lewis, Washington to complete his training. Ken was then stationed in Linderhofe, Germany. While in Germany, Ken met his “German Family,” the Bunte’s. One evening while out with Martin Bunte, Ken was introduced to Regina Helbich in a guest house in Bosingfeld called the Feldschloesschen. The chance meeting with Regina would span into a lifetime together (we won’t mention the fact that Regina was just 16 years old and was enjoying an adult beverage when they met). Ken returned to the United States in September of 1970, and Regina followed in July of 1971. Regina landed in Missoula on July 5th, turned 18 years old on July 12th, and Ken and Regina were married on July 17th, 1971. It was a marriage that would last 55 years and was filled with compassion, hard work, humor, grace, fun, teamwork, and always at the core, LOVE. Ken and Regina welcomed their first son Jason in November of 1975, and second son Josh followed in October of 1980. Ken and Regina rarely had a household or cooked a meal just for the four of them. Ken always treated his son’s friends like his own, especially those that needed a little extra love or support. To this day there’s still friends of his son’s that call him “Dad”. For many years, Ken and Regina ran the family business, Village Cleaners, until June of 1999 when they moved to Bigfork, MT. While in Bigfork, Ken was the Director of Operations at Prestige Assisted Living in Kalispell. Ken and Regina would return to Missoula in 2003 to help close the family business, Village Cleaners. After closing the business and taking a vacation to Germany to visit family, Ken returned to become the Administrator at the Springs of Missoula. On June 30th of 2015 Ken retired from The Springs of Missoula, and he and Regina returned to Bigfork where he would live the rest of his life spending time on Flathead Lake taking boat rides and swimming in the fresh crisp water. It was his place of happiness and peace and where he always wanted to be. On June 5th, 2023, Ken was diagnosed with Stage 4 Bile Duct Cancer. At the time the doctor thought that Ken may have up to a year while taking Chemotherapy. The doctor underestimated what was termed “North Side Tough” that Ken displayed as well as the loving support and care of wife Regina. Ken proceeded to fight and defy the odds for over three years regarding his diagnosis with grace, dignity, and determination to have “just one more summer and one more boat ride with his family.” On July 24th at 11:25am Ken passed away peacefully at home with his wife and children by his side. There is no way to put into words the gratitude the family has for the care Ken received by Logan Health of Kalispell for over 3 years as well as Logan Health

Hospice of Kalispell over the last few weeks of his life. The family would also like to express their thanks to the Pastor Shawn Osborne and the Bethany Lutheran Church family in Bigfork for their support and prayers. The regular visits from Pastor Shawn were of great joy and peace for Ken in the last several years. Regina, Jason, Lori, Josh, and Katie would also like to thank all of Ken’s neighbors and community members for all the support and help they received in the last 3 years. Ken fully considered his neighbors in Bigfork as friends. Ken was proceeded in death by his parents John and Pearl Spaid. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Regina, two sons Jason (Lori) and Josh (Katie), his best feline friend Felix, older brother John (Amron), and younger brother Mike (Karen), as well as many nieces and nephews, and half a family in Germany. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, your local Humane Society, Bethany Lutheran Church, or a cause that is dear to your own heart. A Celebration of Life will be held for Ken on September 19th in Bigfork at Bethany Lutheran Church at 11:00am.