Bruce Leroy Bothun, 78

Bruce Leroy Bothun, 78, passed away at his home in Kalispell following a difficult journey with lung cancer on June 26, 2026. 

He was born on March 3, 1948, in Spokane, Washington, the son of Clifford and Valdeas Bothun. Bruce, along with his siblings Marcia and Greg, grew up and worked at Four Corners Wrecking, their family’s business. 

Bruce graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1966 and attended Spokane Community College. He returned to the Flathead Valley to work, where he married Dianne Spafford in the fall of 1969. They lived in Spokane, and had two children together, Brad and Todd Vickhammer, before divorcing. He worked for several employers, including Boeing, Lee Craft Marina and for himself as a mechanic and auto body technician. Bruce lived with his partner Karma Dhaenens of Spokane Valley, Washington, for many years. During the spring of 2013, Bruce moved back to the Flathead Valley to be closer to his family and loved ones.

Bruce was a gifted mechanic with a seemingly endless knowledge about hot rods, cars, engines and anything with a motor. He could always be found tinkering on several car projects, disassembling a household appliance, or refurbishing a toy for a grandchild, niece, or nephew. If you went on a drive with Bruce, you could be sure he would be looking out the window and scanning for cars to restore. He was full of stories to tell about growing up on their family’s wrecking yard or getting in (and out) of trouble as a kid in the Flathead Valley. In his last years, he could be seen cruising Kalispell in his restored 1955 Chevy Belair or a 1928 Ford Roadster pickup.

Bruce was preceded in death by his mother Valdeas Bothun Dybing, father Clifford L. Bothun and brother Gregory W. Bothun. 

He is survived by his son Brad Vickhammer and wife Jennifer, of Middleton, Idaho; son Todd Vickhammer and wife Jenny, of Middleton, Idaho; sister Marcia Fleming, of Kalispell; grandchildren Jake Vickhammer, Zach Vickhammer, Cooper Vickhammer and Ellyse Vickhammer; nieces Valerie Bothun, Amber Tyrone; nephews Cody Bothun, Danny Bothun and Marc DeLong; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A graveside service will be Thursday, July 16 at 3 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.