Darrell Leon Blatter

Darrell Leon Blatter, 66, of Great Falls, a retired mechanic, died of cancer Friday at a local hospital.
His memorial service is 1 p.m. Thursday at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Myrna Blatter of Ulm; children Kim Bright and her husband, Scott, and Tracy Malley and her husband, Shawn, all of Spokane, Darrell Blatter Jr. and his wife, Rowena, and Jody Malsam and her husband, Jay, all of Great Falls; sisters Ladena Blatter of Great Falls and Sharon Marrs of Salt Lake City; brothers Coyne Blatter of Great Falls, Lynn Blatter and Butch Blatter of Glasgow and Lee Blatter of Billings; and seven grandchildren, Jason Bright of Helena, Jeremy Bright and Renee Malley of Spokane, and Jeremiah and Kali Blatter and Lacie Malsam, all of Great Falls.
Darrell was born June 17, 1939, in Glasgow, the third son of Cleo and Beryl Blatter. He was raised and educated in Glasgow. At age 15, he jumped out of his window onto the back of his Harley and never looked back.
He met Myrna Sundby in grade school and they were married Aug. 9, 1958, in Glasgow, and moved to Great Falls in 1963.
Darrell worked leveling land for Doug Rohrer in Fort Shaw, before working as head mechanic for Hilde Construction in Great Falls for 21 years. He later went to work for Lewis Construction before retiring from United Materials in 2000.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing, riding Harleys and playing cards. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends and raising hell.
Darrell was a loving husband, father, "pa" and friend who lived life to the fullest and will be tremendously missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was known for being a man who knew what he wanted and for always telling it like it was.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Anna Malley; and his parents, Cleo and Beryl Blatter.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.