Collin E. Holstein, 65, of Libby

Collin Ellis Holstein passed away at his home in Libby on Nov. 26, 2012, after a six-month courageous battle with brain cancer.  

He was surrounded by his family and friends.  

Collin was born March 16, 1947, the son of Raymond and Madge (Chriesman) Holstein.  He went to public schools in Fort Stockton, Texas, graduating from Fort Stockton High School in 1965.   He went on to receive his masters degree in range science from Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas.

Collin’s main career was spent with the Forest Service in the fire and aviation program. He served on the Northern Rockies Type I fire team for many years.   In 2004, he retired as the Kootenai National Forest Aviation Officer.     

Anyone who knew Collin knew this to be the truth:  He cherished anything that flew, was passionate about building airplanes and was respected for and loved his career in fire and aviation.   

He enjoyed reading all types of military history and science books, and was an excellent writer of short stories.   

Collin was an avid hunter and trapper in his earlier years and cherished spending endless hours hiking and hunting arrowheads on the family ranch. He was dearly devoted to and loved his wife, Bobbie, and, of course, all his pets, especially most recently his “little fat girl,” Turbo.  

His sister-in-law, Charlyn, had a very special place in his heart as well. Collin loved to barbecue for family and friends and would do anything to help them out.  He had a desire to always help anyone fix things; he was fondly called “MacGyver” for some of his more creative solutions to problems.

Collin is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Madge Holstein and a special brother-in-law, Gary Puckett.

Collin is survived by his wife, Bobbie Lacklen, who resides at their home in Libby, a son, Vann Thomas Holstein, of Lawrence Kan., sister, Molly Akin, of Nellysford, Va., sister, Mary Puckett, of Fort Davis, Texas, sister, Lisa Harkins, of Sanderson, Texas, and brother, Jay Tom Holstein, of Fort Stockton, Texas, and many nieces and nephews.    

Collin was loved and will be loved by the many people who knew him.  All his buddies and his Forest Service family meant the world to him and up to his very last day he enjoyed hearing from them and listening to their often funny or elaborated stories.  

We will miss you dearly and think of you daily.  When we look out across that sky, we will know it is you flying your plane in heaven.  Fly, Collin, fly.  

We love you dearly — now go to rest with your dear friends and family that have passed before you.  

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m, Saturday,  Dec. 1, 2012, at the Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Road, Libby.  

Family and friends are welcome to attend a Mexican pot luck lunch that will follow the service.    

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby.