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We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Ronald "Ron or Ed" Brothers

Manager/Owner

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Hello, I am Ronald Edward Brothers, Our family manages and owns our small town mortuary, Brothers Mortuary and Crematory, formerly known as the Dowling Funeral Home, in operation since 1916. Just to tell you a little bit about my family history. My Grandfather Louise and Grandmother Annie Vacura were married in 1905 and they homestead on the Camas Prairie, just outside Plains, MT. After three good years of farming the family moved into Plains and my Grandfather started Vacura Motors. My Mother, one of 16, met my Father in Plains while working at the Vacura garage. My parents later moved to Kalispell and raised a family and I am one of nine. I graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell and entered into active duty with the United States Navy in 1986, graduating from the Naval School of Health Sciences in San Diego, Calif., Field Medical School in Camp LeJeune, North Carolina and Advance Trauma Medicine in Camp Pendleton, Calif. I served as a Navy Corpsman FMF (8404) with the 1st Marine Division 1/4 13th MEU SOC. I was attached to the USS Okinawa LPH 3, flying in 46's and 53's. Stationed in San Diego, CA, Camp LeJeune, NC, Bremerton, WA, Camp Pendleton, CA, Adak, AK, the Philippines, Okinawa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq. After serving my country during combat action, I was honorably discharged. While working in the civilian medical field, I furthered my college education, graduating with a Mortuary Science Degree from Mount Hood in 1994. I was licensed in the State of Washington in 1994 and then moved back to Montana, attaining my Mortician and Crematory operator licenses in Montana. I have been in Funeral service since 1991 and I was the First Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) in Western Montana in 1999. I served on the Montana Building Codes Council and I have served on the Montana Board of Funeral Service, as the Secretary and Vice Chairman. I served as a trustee for the Bitter Root Eagles (FOE) 1693 and I am a Past-President. I have also served as the Treasurer for the Bitter Root Chamber of Commerce. I am a life member of CFSP, the 1st Marine Division Association, VFW, American Legion and Trout Unlimited. I am a member of the Marine Corp League, Elks, Bitter Root Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club. I have been a member of the MFDA and NFDA. I have been involved with the Kiwanis Club as the Secretary and The Teller. https://youtu.be/tMZrs1Kdf6s?si=1rHRmCmyut5kgE9g https://bitterrootlandtrust.org/ Story written about Ron - https://bitterrootstar.com/2023/11/docs-story-a-life-of-service/