Everett “Dewey” Levitt, 88, passed away at Brendan House in Kalispell on May 25, 2014.  

“He peacefully slipped into heaven as ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling You Home’ was sung to him.”

He was born to Frank and Stella Knapp Levitt on Aug. 19, 1925, at his Knapp grandparents’ homestead in Columbia Falls. Being a proud Flathead native, he lived and worked in the Flathead Valley nearly all his life.

He served his country during World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17, in June 1943, and was honorably discharged in April 1946. Always a willing, hard and smart worker, he was one of the first to be hired to build Hungry Horse Dam and stayed until the dam was finished. He was one of the last three to be laid off.  

In 1950, he met and married Ruby Otis. They raised four children together. Following the completion of Hungry Horse Dam, they moved to Great Falls for a short time, returning to the Flathead when Anaconda Aluminum Company began hiring. He remained employed there until 1983, retiring after 28 years.

Dewey was always hardworking and full of a common-sense approach to life. He was a pillar of support and generosity when you were in need. If you were being foolish, he would minister to that, too. He was a rock and we who knew him will be forever grateful for his life and light being part of ours.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; son, Michael; and son-in-law, Tim Stracener; as well as tiny ones we never got to hold, “that he is holding now.”

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, “Tiny;” children, Leslie and husband Kelly Toman, Rod and wife Elizabeth Levitt, and Marsha Stracener; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters and three brothers and their families; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14 at the New Covenant Church; Pastor David Graham will officiate. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. A reception will take place after the burial at the New Covenant Church.  

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dewey’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Dewey’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.