A long line of cars followed 20 firetrucks and 10 school buses in a procession through downtown Kalispell earlier this month to honor the life of Francis Albert ‘Fran’ Van Rinsum, longtime Somers Fire Chief and beloved bus driver, who died on Oct. 12 at the age of 96.  

“You couldn’t go anywhere in Somers and mention Fran’s name without people knowing who he was and what he did for the town,” said Van Rinsum’s nephew Doug Managhan.  

Managhan spoke about his uncle following his funeral service and procession, which took place on Oct. 17 and 18.  

He said it was a sight to see the whole town stop and show their respect for Van Rinsum. 

“All of these firemen, there was probably 20 of them, they line up at the grave site and walk up one-by-one and salute. That pretty much tore everybody up watching that,” Managhan said.  

Van Rinsum lived his entire life in a farmhouse on the north shore of Flathead Lake. He inherited the property, which included the nearby family farm, from his father Garrett. He grew up in Somers alongside his sister Beverly and their half-brother Eddie Unwin, who later died in World War II.  

In 1954, he married his wife Geneva and they later adopted two children: Larry and Lori. He and Geneva were married for 71 years — both making themselves integral to the Somers community in those decades.  

“You can't talk about Fran without talking about Geneva, they've been married since high school — since her senior year. She's 92 years old and drove the bus right along with him all those years,” Managhan said.  

The two worked the family farm through the 1970s. Managhan said he remembers this time fondly: riding into town with his family to weigh grain and taking Van Rinsum’s lawnmower for a spin — left purposefully for the kids to drive around on.  

Back then, the young couple understood that the days for small-time farmers in the Flathead Valley were numbered, so they decided to take up bus driving in the Creston area. The two owned and operated the bus contracting business for decades, both continuing to drive through their late 80s.  

Van Rinsum was named Montana’s bus driver of the year in 2000.  

He nearly beat the record for oldest driver in the state before retiring several years ago at 89 years old. Managhan said it was always frustrating to his uncle, because the record was set by a 90-year-old.  

Van Rinsum had a heart for serving his community. In addition to his career as a bus driver, he was fire chief with the Somers Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. He continued to support the station in various roles for a total of more than 35 years of service, according to his obituary.  

“And amongst all that he also worked with the Flathead Conservation District ... So he was always doing something community related,” Managhan said.  

He also remembers his uncle throwing huge barbecues, something others mentioned during Van Rinsum’s funeral service. 

“I remember it as a kid, he would have huge cookouts. I don't know where he got them, but he would have the biggest 40-ounce steaks. And he barbecued for everybody,” Managhan said.  

Van Rinsum is survived by his wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Though Larry died in 2013, Managhan said his son Nicholas built a house near the family property in Somers and is helping take care of Geneva. He added that Lori was largely behind organizing the events for her father.  

Taylor Inman may be reached at 758-4440 or [email protected].

    A fire department funeral procession for Francis Albert 'Fran' Van Rinsum, who at one point served as Somers Fire Chief for 25 years, passes through downtown Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A fire department funeral procession for Francis Albert 'Fran' Van Rinsum, who at one point served as Somers Fire Chief for 25 years, passes through downtown Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A fire department funeral procession for Francis Albert 'Fran' Van Rinsum, who at one point served as Somers Fire Chief for 25 years, passes through downtown Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A fire department funeral procession for Francis Albert 'Fran' Van Rinsum, who at one point served as Somers Fire Chief for 25 years, passes through downtown Kalispell on Friday, Oct. 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    Francis Albert "Fran" Van Rinsum of Somers died at 96-years-old on Oct. 12, 2025. (photo provided)
  

    Fran Van Rinsum, his mother Violet and his sister Beverly in 1955. (photo courtesy of Doug Managhan)
  

    Fran Van Rinsum photographed at a World War II monument, where his brother's name is listed. (Photo courtesy of Doug Managhan)