Ivan Wallgren

Ivan Wallgren (99)

Ivan passed away peacefully just days after his 99^th birthday.  Ivan lived in Rathdrum, Idaho for 11 years, but Deer Lodge, Montana, where they lived for 58 years, was the place he always considered home.

He was born in April, 1924 in Rolette, ND, to Carl and Lunia Wallgren.  Most of his childhood was spent in Cando, ND where his dad was a blacksmith.  He graduated from Cando High School, but was drafted into the Army to serve in WWII before the graduation ceremony took place.  He served in the 25^th Infantry Division and was awarded a Purple Heart before returning home in January, 1946.  He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from the State Normal and Industrial College in Ellendale, ND. 

A mutual friend introduced Ivan to Diane Hess and they married in 1948.  They went on to have two children, Terry and Vicki, then moved to Deer Lodge, MT in 1954.  Ivan taught shop at the Powell County Junior High.  He retired in 1984 and spent his time skiing, cutting gemstones, researching the family genealogy, and restoring old Fords.  Ivan and Diane loved going to car shows in the Northwest to show off their restored ’67 Mustang convertible and ’55 fat-fender Ford pickup and helped host the Territorial Days Rod Run at the Old Prison in Deer Lodge for several years.  In addition to the multitude of trophies they took home, they also enjoyed seeing many friends at shows year after year and traveling to visit family. 

Ivan enjoyed the friends he made in Rathdrum at Golden Spike Estates, the Rathdrum Senior Center, and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.  

Ivan was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife, Diane, and their daughter, Vicki.  He is survived by his son Terry (Mary) of Rathdrum; three grandsons: Cory (Holly) Matkin of Jefferson City, MT, Lee (Kirsten) Matkin of Havre, MT, and Brett (Stephanie) Wallgren of Tulsa, OK; six great grandchildren:  Michael, Ryan, Wyatt, April, Colter, and Harper; one great-great grandson, Reid; and many nieces and nephews.