Walter Michael "Mick" Iten

HAMILTON – Walter Michael “Mick” Iten, 74, of Hamilton passed away after a battle with cancer on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula. Mick was born on December 10, 1942 in Hamilton, Montana, the son of Walter and Alice (Gliebe) Iten.

Mick lived in Hamilton, Montana for most of his life. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1960 and entered the Army Reserve. Upon leaving the service, he fought fires for the U.S. Forest Service at which time he met and married Doris Muller. They were blessed with three loving children, Michelle, Rhonda and Mike. He later received education in hydrology through the U.S. government and had a 27-year career with the Soil Conservation Service in Hamilton. Many of the high mountain dams and agricultural irrigation systems in the Bitterroot Valley can be attributed to his design. After retiring from the federal government in 1993, he started a new career in home building and construction.

He loved dogs, especially his Airedales Bum, Gus and Moose and spent significant time with them outdoors. Mick was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending most summers with his wife of 30 years, Jane, ocean fishing and boating at their vacation home in British Columbia. When his kids were growing up they spent their weekends at Lake Como, where he shared his passion for waterskiing and taught his kids how to ski at a young age.

Mick was a member of the Hamilton Elks Club, the Stock Farm Club and was an avid Grizzly supporter and fan. He and Jane hosted an annual University of Montana Grizzly coaches benefit at their home south of Hamilton.

Mick is survived by wife, Helen “Jane” Iten, daughters Michelle (Sandy) Baroh, Rhonda (Kerry) Halligan and Mike (Shelley) Iten. He also is missed by Patricia and Lance Juedeman, Molly Peterson and Delette and Keith Olberg and grandchildren Dawson, Riley, Mikayla, Kennadi, Finn, Blaine, Elaina, Alexa, Matt, Jordan and Linden and friends too numerous to name.

Mick was well-loved and is missed.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 1, 2017 from 2:00 until 4:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 2 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room.  Private family interment will take place.

The family suggests that memorials be made in Mick’s name to the Huntsman Cancer Institute,  2000 Cir of Hope Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112.