Allen Swalling

Allen W. Swalling, 84, passed away August 8, 2021, at St. Patrick Hospital, following a long battle with kidney failure and multiple other medical issues, with his daughter and son-in-law at his side.

He was born December 20, 1936, to Oscar and Verna Engle Swalling in Charlo Montana.  He graduated as salutatorian from Charlo High School in 1955.  While in school, he excelled in basketball, football, and baseball.  While in high school he worked for Wilson & Howell Services, and shortly after graduation he started working for Lake County Road Department as a grader operator and truck driver.

In 1961 he married his high school sweetheart, Dolores Wiebke, as soon as she graduated from St. Pat’s School of Nursing.  They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 6, 2021.

In June 1962 their son, Roy, was born and in October 1964, their daughter, Teresa, joined the family.

In 1975, he and Dolores bought her parent’s grocery store in Charlo.  They operated Wiebke’s Grocery until 1986 when she returned to nursing at St. Luke’s Hospital and he went back to work at the Lake County Road department, until his retirement in 1999.

He loved growing beautiful flowers and landscaping.  He was an avid UM Grizzly football and Lady Griz basketball fan.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Anita Howell, and his brother, Bruce.

Allen is survived by his wife, Dolores, and son Roy (Darci), grandchildren Kelsey (Josef) and Ryan, daughter Teresa Larson (Lucky) and grandchildren Brandon (Whitney) and Kaylee Cheff (Micky), also his beautiful great-grandchildren, Lucky, Toby, Milly, Mason, Lexie, and Amira.  He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Sheri, Stuart, Bill, Wilda and Wes.

Private family graveside services will be held.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Allen’s name to the Charlo-Moiese Senior Citizens Center or St. Luke Hospital would be greatly appreciated.