Donavan Ottosen, 91

Donavan Stanley Ottosen, 91, passed away peacefully at the Kalispell Logan Health Center on June 23, 2026, following a massive stroke in his yard in Bigfork while working on his property earlier in the day. 

Don was born to Stanley and Edna Ottosen on Dec. 21, 1934, in a small farmhouse in Plentywood, Montana, attended by a country doctor on a blistering subzero day. When he was 12, the family moved to the Flathead Valley, where he quickly gained a reputation for being a quick and reliable worker, doing side jobs in the community for local farmers. 

He left home at 16 and relocated to Cutbank. He began his first full-time job on a ranch owned by Tip and Ty Coleman. As the years progressed, he became a heavy equipment operator for Zook's Construction Company. From there, his ongoing love of working with his hands and inventive genius opened many doors of opportunity for him across the state of Montana. He retired from Stoltze Lumber Company in Columbia Falls in 1999, after completing over 25 years as the shop foreman and head electrician. During his years at Stoltze, he was given the nicknames "Short Circuit" and "Half Watt" because of his small stature. 

However, being small in size never limited his willingness to tackle and to successfully accomplish big projects well into his 80s and until the time of his death. He was self-taught, known as an inventive genius and gifted troubleshooter. He became adept at everything he set his hand to. Over time, because he was always simply willing to try, he became an expert heavy equipment operator, television and radio technician, builder, welder, mechanic and electrician, to name a few of his many skills. Along with his two brothers, Dave and Ed, he built the former Bigfork Cross on Ed's property over five decades ago, Don being the chief engineer and welder. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Edna and by five of his siblings: Geraldine Schrock, Darla Cervantes, Milly McLure, Dave Ottosen and Monta Gordon. 

Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rose; one daughter and three sons from his previous marriage to Maureen McLain Williams: Peggy Jordan and husband, Merle; Ron Ottosen; Shane Ottosen and wife, Carla; and Shawn Ottosen-all residing in the Salem, Oregon area, along with their children and grandchildren. Don and Rose have one son, Tom, who resides in Martinez, California; Don's only surviving brother, Ed Ottosen, Bigfork; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, at 1:30 p.m. at Bigfork Chapel, 290 Swan Highway, Bigfork. A luncheon reception will immediately follow the service. Both Pastor Richard Stewart and Pastor Joshua Modisette will be officiating. 

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, Don's immediate family requests that donations be made either to a nonprofit of your choice, or to a current community project that Don fully supported and had hoped to be a part of a new cross that is now under construction in Bigfork: Flathead Valley Cross, 290 Ramsfield Road, Bigfork, MT 59911, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit IRS EIN 42-3248801. 

Buffalo Hills Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family. Please view their website to leave comments, share memories and express your condolences.