Longtime residents Duane and Bev Larson have given a lifetime of service to the Kalispell community, through volunteer efforts as well as chosen career paths.

To honor their devotion to the town and their work to create a legacy of volunteer spirit, the Larsons were jointly awarded the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s Great Chief Award for 2014 on Thursday night at the Chamber’s 110th annual banquet.

In their letter, the couple’s nominator said, “Bev and Duane leave a legacy for the citizens of Kalispell that is unmatched. They are two of the most generous individuals this community has ever seen.”

Duane has been a pivotal member of the Flathead Valley community for nearly 60 years, since he was 18 years old.

His first job was with Jet Oil in Evergreen, but he is most well known for his time serving the city of Kalispell, where he spent over 45 of his working years.

He served 22 years with the Kalispell Fire Department, becoming assistant chief in 1979, then chief in 1986. Then he moved on to the City Council, serving 24 years under numerous mayors and city managers.

Duane also served on numerous boards, including the Northwest Montana Historical Society, Park Side Federal Credit Union, Montana League of Cities and Towns and City-County Heath Department.

Bev has been involved in a host of local organizations including the CARE program, Peer Court, Lighthouse Christian Home, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, American Diabetes Association, Hockaday Museum of Art and Museum at Central School.

She served on many nonprofit boards, including Samaritan House, Flathead Food Bank, United Way and Neighbors in Need. Her spirit and passion for these non-profit organizations provide a stable foundation for the community, according to the nominating letter.

The couple met when they were both in middle school in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

“I invited her to a Boy Scout dinner and dance. It was our first date,” Duane recalled in a previous interview. “We’ve been together ever since.”

The couple married when he was 18 and she was 17, and moved to Kalispell, where Bev completed her final year of high school. They raised three children here: Darrell, Tim and Kelly.

The Larsons’ Great Chief prize is an original watercolor painting by Karen Leigh.

The banquet and auction theme was “Taking Care of Business” and was attended by over 425 people. All of the proceeds from the auction were dedicated to the Chamber’s initiatives, such as the Taking Care of Business initiative, which supports improved air service, completion of the Kalispell bypass, a strong downtown district and a strong manufacturing sector.

The annual banquet is also a chance to acknowledge contributions, achievements and leadership of community members.

The Businesswoman of the Year award was granted to Karen Cramer, owner of Beckman’s Fine Furnishings in downtown Kalispell and Whitefish.

Cramer sits on the board of directors of the Kalispell Downtown Business Improvement District. Her nominator said she brings enthusiasm and professionalism to all of her endeavors in a way that inspires everyone she works with.

The Businessman of the Year title went to Mark Blasdel, the owner of Vista Linda Restaurant and Catering and the current Speaker of the Montana House of Representatives. He is a graduate of Flathead High School and Flathead Valley Community College. His nominator wrote: “He is known for the countless gift certificates that they give out and discount food prices they give for charity events.” 

In the Legislature, Blasdel was known for fighting for the taxpayer, business, and education and perhaps is best known for securing a 100-0 vote on the budget bill in the 2014 session. He recently was elected to the Montana Senate for the next legislative session.

The Member of the Year award was bestowed on Dorinda Grey, Business Development Officer for Insured Titles. Grey has chaired two of the most active and complex committees for the Chamber: the Ambassadors and Leadership Flathead.

Her “positive attitude, her great leadership skills and dedication to the Chamber” set her apart as Member of the Year.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.