Monte Jerome Falen

Monte J. Falen, age 80 of Bellingham, Washington, died peacefully on February 2, 2026, surrounded by family at the Dublin Retirement Village in Dublin, Ohio following a prolonged illness.
On October 24, 1945, Monte was born in Wichita, Kansas to the late Jerome Falen and Betty Lundstrom. He grew up in Colorado and enjoyed summers working with his uncle, Bob Lundstrom, on the family farm in Little River, Kansas. Monte graduated with a business degree from Sacramento State, and in 1972 he joined his dad in the jewelry and watch repair business in Bellingham, Washington. Following his dad's retirement, Monte opened MJB Jewelers, "The Charming Little House on Broadway", a successful retail jewelry store. He was beloved by his customers due to his honesty, exemplary service, and caring attitude. MJB Jewelers was awarded "The Best of Bellingham" on many occasions.
Monte played high school and college basketball, and he loved the sport. He also enjoyed competitive racquetball, early morning workouts at the Bellingham Athletic Club, hiking, biking, bird watching, and cheering for the Seattle Seahawks. His favorite vacations always included a beautiful, warm, sandy beach.
Most of all, Monte loved being on his Tollycraft, Anna Marie, cruising the San Juan islands, and visiting Rosario Resort on Orcus Island where he married his wife Marie in 2002. He enjoyed being skipper and tour guide to family and friends, crabbing, and gunkholing in the dinghy. Monte always had a positive attitude, loved being outside in nature, and never spent a day without ice cream.
He is survived by his beloved wife Marie Falen, son and best friend Ken Falen (David Hein), daughter Karen Falen, sister Kathy Walley (Don Walley), and former wife Jan Knuston. He is also survived by Marie's daughter Michelle Thomas (Luke Thomas), son David Plouffe (Laura Plouffe), and their grandchildren Larkin Thomas, Dylan Plouffe, J.J. Thomas, Zachary Thomas, and Ava Plouffe, nieces Laurie Carlsson (HeeYon Sohng), Kelly Urban (Terry Urban) and nephew Tim Walley (Jenifer Coffey), grandnieces JoJo and Lulu Sohng, and grandnephew Torrin Walley.
Monte is preceded in death by his sister Sharre Carlsson.
Monte's family is very grateful for the excellent care he received from the Mount Baker Care Center in Bellingham, Washington and the Dublin Retirement Village in Dublin, Ohio.
Charitable donations can be made in Monte's honor to your local hospice organization.