Val was born on November 10, 1940 in Driggs, ID to Samuel Joseph (Joe) and Minnie. Val is the 10th of eleven children. He married Kathleen(Kathy) Ruth Vik in Saint Anthony, ID on January 21, 1961 and together they have three children: Gene (Debbie) of Forsyth, MT, Vik (Sandy) of Elko, NV, and Bettina of Billings, MT. Val has ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is survived also by sister Madge Park of Orem, UT and brother Dick (Diane) of Forsyth, MT. Val is an army veteran and served from 1958-1962 in Europe as a gunner on the border. He was proud of serving his country. Val enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, playing cards, and being with his family. He was a story teller, a good mechanic, a boy scout leader, and a welder. He used to say, “I can weld everything from the crack of dawn to a broken heart.” Val served in various capacities in his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and admired the prophet, Joseph Smith. Val left this life December 25, 2023 from complications due to pneumonia and other health issues.
Val Gene Bell, age 83, of Forsyth
November 10, 1940 – December 25, 2023
Ron and Ruth Burman says
Condolences and Prayers to you and your Families.
Nancy Conlin says
Bettina,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your in my prayers and in my heart!
Nancy C.
Connie Brown says
Prayers and condolences to your family.
Diane Hossner Dyer says
Kathy, so sorry to hear of Val’s passing. You and your family are in my prayers. Love you cousin, Diane Hossner Dyer
George and Jan says
Prayers to all the Bell family and friends. Val will leave a hole in many lives, but he will continue to bring smiles as all think of what he did for so many and all the smiles he put on the faces of others. The smile that was always on his face will be with me forever. Love you all!
Calvin and Melissa Bell says
We love you guys. Uncle Val will be missed.
Callie clark says
Sorry for your loss..your family is in my prayers.
Lonny and Ruby Pierce says
Our prayers are with the whole family. We are sorry for your loss. Uncle Val was a great man. He is in heaven with all the family there.
Susan (Mosby) Joy says
Kathy, Bettina and family,
I am so sorry that you are enduring this pain now. Val was an amazing man who always had a comment for everything and he always smiled. I will miss my birthday buddy. He has always had a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Memories are wonderful and you will cherish them forever.
Sandi Van Pelt says
Kathy and family,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Val was a great
person and inspirational to many.
Ed morris says
Val, uncle Val, boom boom bell, all fitting nicknames. I called him s…head, because he pulled more pranks on me. Than anybody. You had to watch your back. But at any given time Val had our backs.i will miss him and his unpropper XMas cards.i know he’s not done getting me. Love forever Big Ed
Debbie Salvesen and family says
We love you all and are praying for each of you as you navigate through this trial. Prayers and thoughts are being sent to each of you. Uncle Val will be missed by us all, but I can only imagine the reunion that was had on the other side as he was embraced by all of our family. I can only imagine the conversation he had with my dad.
Grace Larson says
I had great respect for Val and considered him a friend as well as the best boss ever. I’m sending hugs to you, Kathy. A helpful note: Kathy, I didn’t donate anything of Lyle ‘s for a year. Just kept our home the same. You will know when.
Chuck & Rhonda Powrie says
So sorry for your loss. Prayers and hugs coming your way!
Mike Bell says
Val will be missed he worked hard hole life different tasks at hand Kathy work with him doing life tasks. Raised the family made a great like life.. he is in heaven and out of pain.
Lu Shomate says
Gene & Debbie & Family – My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you at this loss of your Father. What a great man and role model! Hugs!
Kay Berdahl says
To Val’s family,
Our deepest condolences to one and all of your loss.
Leah Ray says
I am so sorry for your families loss. May you have peace and comfort.
Lisa says
I had the pleasure of calling him Uncle Val. What a patriarch of the family, a pillar of light and strength. A teacher and an example. A great cribbage player and story teller. He accepted me, no questions asked. He will be missed.
My thoughts are with the entire Bell family today. God bless you all and may you feel His love and comfort today and always.
Molly Blackburn says
Aunt Kathy, Gene, Vik, Betina and each of your sweet families. I just want you to know how much uncle Val will be missed. His smile and certainly his laugh. His way of telling experiences, his way of calling you on the carpet. His ability to talk of love for family and the importance of staying in touch, how everyone mattered. When I was a kid, I remember Uncle Val coming to our rescue in the woods, at the time of year when the snow was still in the thawing process. We went for a drive, and as we got into more and more snow, my mom would ask Sandy and I if we should turn back or go a little further…of course we cheered for going a little further. It got us stuck in the mud and snow. But we weren’t scared, we knew Mom had this “bull by the horns” because that was just a truth, Mom always knew what to do and how to make it fun. Someone would be coming soon. Mom figured dad would be coming to find us…nope. He figured Mom had taken off to Uncle Val’s and decided to spend the night. So we slept in the car. Next morning Mom was chipper and told us we were going to walk on toward home. Ok, it sounded like it was going to be fun. As we walked our feet were real cold and we felt hungry… and then we saw Uncle Val’s truck coming up the road! I can’t remember everyone who showed up to dig the car out, I sure wish I could. I do remember a big fire to get warm by, laughter, talking and it turned into a family gathering and we played and had a great time. I think Roland and Craig were there and… We were told that when Mom didn’t come back in the morning that Dad called Uncle Val to talk to her, and was told she never showed up at his house. So the RESCUE began. I think someone even brought food. Do you remember that? It’s one of my fond memories of your family. I think living by all of you there in Anaconda taught me what a real family is. How to care about one another and that, “ love covers all sins”, as the scriptures teach, in Proverbs. I’m so grateful we were able to live near family as much as we did. I wanted so badly to attend Uncle Val’s funeral today, but Mike wasn’t up to the drive and didn’t want me going by myself. I should have anyway, my Mom would have. The funeral was beautiful, but I really missed seeing you and sharing in your feelings. Even just giving a real hug. I love you❤️ -Molly-
LaPreal Henman says
Kathy, Gene, Vik, Bettina and all of your, our family. I am so sorry for the loss of a great man, Val!! I love him and all of you!! I know what you are going through and I pray that God will be with all of you throughout this time and forever!!
Karl Hossner says
Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of Val passing away. I send me and my families condolences. Your cousin, Karl