Walter "Wally" Bolkovatz

Walter "Wally" William Bolkovatz passed away on October 21, 2014, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Wally was born on April 9, 1929, in Anaconda, the ninth child in a family of ten children to Catherine (Zunic) and George Bolkovatz. He enjoyed a lifetime in the outdoors, whether it was at Red Lion in his early years or later at Georgetown Lake at the cabin owned by he and his brother Joe Bolkovatz. They built the cabin into a family gathering spot for the Bolkovatz family and introduced nieces and nephews to water skiing and enjoyment of the lake. He enjoyed sports of all types and played football at St. Peter's Catholic High School. As an adult he participated in a water skiing, boating, fishing, cross country skier, countless hours hiking around the Anaconda and the Pintler Wilderness Area. In his later years getting out to snow mobile and four-wheeling brought him much entertainment especially with his friends. He attended St. Peter's elementary school and St. Peter's Central High School. In 1965 Wally obtained his GED. He then went on to attend Truck Driving School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wally started his work life as a paperboy in the East end of Anaconda, and a bellboy at the Marcus Daly Hotel. As most Anaconda young men he went to work for the Anaconda Company at the Smelter, then moved on to work at Warm Springs State Hospital and Galen Hospital as an active member of the Teamsters Union. He also worked a second job as a bartender at Sladich's Bar. He retired after 30 years of service, from Galen State Hospital Everything in life was a chance to find fun for Wally and everyone in the family has a favorite Wally joke (Wallyism). Parades were a time to laugh and enjoy a crowd and he never wanted to miss a trip to the Lilac Parade in Spokane or the Fourth of July Parade at Georgetown Lake. Wally made many trips to watch Notre Dame Football games and a member of Notre Dame Booster Club. It was best not to interrupt him when he was watching college basketball, college football, Nascar, and golf. A trip to Las Vegas to watch a few shows was a regular event. Growing up during the great depression in a large family made early life a challenge but like all of life he looked for the positive in the world around him with a great faith in life. He was a life-long member of the Anaconda Catholic Community and lived his life trying to practice his faith in his relationships with family and friends. Wally married Tina Thomas on August 7, 1973. Wally developed a special relationship with her two sons. Steven died from a car accident at age 7, in 1972. Although they later divorced, Wally kept close ties with Tina's older son Todd and his wife Brenda and their children Stevie, Drew, and Kelby Thomas. They enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling and special family milestones together. Wally was a lifelong member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehouseman and Helpers as well as the Anaconda Council Knights of Columbus. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Catherine Bolkovatz, his eight sisters, Ann Hogan, Catherine Brady, Mary McCabe, Angela Kieser, Agnes Bailey, Barbara Ashton, Theresa Tocher, and Dorothy Montgomery; sister-in-law Agnes Ridge Bolkovatz; brother-in-laws, John Hogan, Francis Brady, Frank McCabe, Clarence Kieser, Sid Bailey, Fred Ashton, and William Montgomery Sr.; nephew Jack Hogan, nieces Signe Marie Baliey, Carol Kieser Parker, Dorothy Montgomery Fangsrud. Nephews in-law Rex Ivie, Casey Randles and John Capps; and former nephew in-law Charles Parker. He is survived by his brother Joseph Bolkovatz of Anaconda; step-son Todd (Brenda) Thomas, nephews, Richard (Michele) Bolkovatz of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Rev. James Hogan, Tom (Darlene) Kieser, Larry (Bonnie) Smith, Bill (Meagan) Montgomery; nieces Annette (Mike) Helsper, Maureen (Tom) Hampton, Patti Schmidt, Marilyn (Pat) Ryan, Roberta Nicholas, Connie Capps, Sandra Green, LaVerne Ivie, Betty Randles, Peggy (Gary) Dolce, Virginia Loran, Jean (Alan) Fangsrud, Linda Montgomery and Nephew in-law Marco Fangsrud. Step-grandchildren Stevie, Drew and Kelby Thomas. Great-nieces and nephews Brian Helsper, Kevin (Allison)Helsper, Mariah Bolkovatz, Mikala Bolkovatz, Katie Montgomery, Ryan Montgomery, Shelby Smith, Steve(Mae) Parker, Cheryl (Dwight Kevin)Self, Cindy(Paul) Bishop, Vicki Edwards, Cathy (Johnny) Bazzano, Theresa (Bill) Stanley, Leanna(Wes) Doll, Stacey (Terry) Premo, Michelle (David) Baker, Jamie (Clem) Lockman, Paul Ryan, Amy(Sean) Goicoechea, Kari (Andre) Marshall, Brian (Lori) Green, Trent (Catherine ) Green, Jeremy (Mikki) Ivie, Jessica Ivie, Kierstan Randles, Conrad Randles, Hilary Randles, Cody Dolce, Deanna Dolce, Molly (Ryan) Stevens, Audrey (Roger) Hermanson, Bret (Jamie) Fangsrud; as well as 41 great-great nephews and great-nieces. A Vigil will be held at Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with visitation starting at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter's Church on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior to the service. A luncheon will be provided by the family at Holy Family Church Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following would honor Wally's memory: Anaconda Catholic Community, 217 W. Pennsylvania, Anaconda, MT. 59711; Stand-Up to Cancer, P.O. Box 843721, Los Angeles, CA 90084-3721; Pinter Home Health/Hospice, 118 East 7th Street Anaconda, MT 59711 or the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Rd., Suite 105, Missoula, MT 59808.

Vigil

NOV 24. 7:00 PM (MST)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711

Mass of Christian Burial

NOV 25. 10:30 AM (MST)

St. Peter's Catholic Church 4th St. and Alder St. Anaconda, MT 59711