Theodore “Ted” Arnold Vacura, 90, passed away on Friday, April 5, 2013, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. 

He was born July 15, 1922, in Hess Township, Roseau, Minn., to Dominick J. and Teresie (Hlucny) Vacura.

Ted was the second of three children of Czechoslovakian descent. He grew up and went to school in the Greenbush area on the family farm, also working on his uncle's farm. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in February of 1944. A sergeant in the 117th Infantry Regiment, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on March 25, 1945, in Germany. He was in the 30th Infantry Division Company E and was in the European Theater for 13 months, participating in four major campaigns. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.  

Ted married Helen M. Walsh on his birthday, July 15, 1944, in Greenbush, Minn., and they had been married for more than 68 years. Ted and Helen lived in Scobey for many years and started their family there, having three children, Karen, Kathy and Allen. While in Scobey he worked for H.P. Larson at the Massey Furgenson Implement as their parts man.  

He and his family moved to Wolf Point, and with Helen they operated an Enco gas station for three years. Later he moved his family to Kalispell. Ted worked for many, many years driving the local fuel delivery truck, first for Landry Oil and then for City Service. 

Ted made many friends and acquaintances during his work years and enjoyed working and enjoyed the people. He was a member of the VFW. Ted enjoyed family gatherings, birthdays and barbecues. He always looked forward to and enjoyed deer hunting with his son Allen and other family members. 

Ted is loved by many and will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Karen Watne; and his sister, Adelia Halbert.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, of Kalispell; daughter, Kathy Lebert, and husband, Ron, of Kalispell; son, Al Vacura, and wife, Shannon, also of Kalispell; one sister, Yvonne Stephens, of Kavlstad, Minn.; and grandchildren, Paw Lebert and Stephanie of Kalispell, Janice Brewer and Will of Kalispell, Chris Andersen of Kalispell, Brian Watne of Columbia Falls, Katrina Vacura of Kalispell, and Tori Vacura and family of Anchorage, Alaska; great-grandchildren, MiKayla, Bethany, Daniel and Ashlyn Lebert, Nicole Stevens, Katelyn and Robert Drager, Amber Anderson and Brandon Watne, all of Kalispell; with many cousins, nieces and nephews in Minnesota.

Funeral services for Theodore will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. There will be a visitation for Theodore from noon until the time of service. Burial will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Theodore's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Theodore's tribute wall.