- Date Of Birth: November 25, 1925
- Date Of Death: April 22, 2010
- State: Montana
Peter John “Pete” Viano, age 84, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Wel-Life in Kalispell, Montana. He was born on November 25, 1925 in Kalispell, Montana the son of Gaston and Mary (Zadra) Viano.
Pete’s grandfather Viano emigrated from Italy and homesteaded west of Kalispell before buying land on Rhodes Draw in 1902. Pete’s father was the last to farm the land, but it was a heritage that Pete did not want to lose so he purchased his beloved farm in 1961. It remains in the family to this day.
Pete’s mother a native of the valley was born in 1891. She greeted the first train that came to Kalispell in the late 1890’s.
Pete worked several jobs before starting a 36 year career as a switchman and brakeman for Great Northern Railroad in 1949. He retired in 1985 from what had become the Burlington Northern Railroad.
Pete married Kathryn “Kay” Greco in 1946. They were married for 61 years before her death in 2007. They had 3 children, Ron, Larry and Debbie.
Pete loved the Flathead Valley and the many friends he had here. Over the years, he and Kay enjoyed trips in the U.S., Mexico and Europe as well as several winters in Yuma, Arizona with many of these friends.
Pete really enjoyed sharing stories about the “old days” and was always ready for a good game of pinochle. So it was fitting that he spent his last day with family and also playing one final card game with friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents. He is survived by his sons Ron Viano and his wife Nancy of Boise, ID; and Larry Viano and his wife Cindy of Kalispell, MT; his daughter Debbie Sprague and her husband Michael of Boise, ID; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, his sister Della Spindler of Plains, MT and numerous nieces and nephews.
