Charles (Chuck) Kvelve Bandel, 71

Charles “Chuck” Kvelve Bandel, 71, of Plains, passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 16, 2025, due to complications of the heart. 

He was born on May 14, 1954, in Cody, Wyoming, to Rodger Kvelve Bandel and Mary Ann Leona Bandel, and grew up in Billings.

Chuck was one of four children, alongside his siblings Tona, Bill and Pete. After high school, he pursued a career as an X-ray technologist, earning multiple specialty certifications including CT scanning, lithotripsy and MRI. During this time, he met Sheila Shields, whom he later married. Together they raised three children: Tim Bandel, Tara Suggs and Kaley Cutsforth.

In addition to his medical career, Chuck followed a second passion — journalism. He returned to school to study journalism and began his career as an intern at a Spokane, Washington newspaper, later becoming a full journalist. His love of writing stayed with him throughout his life.

Chuck’s greatest joy was his family. He was a proud grandfather to Emerson and Asher Bandel (children of Tim and Jamie Bandel) and Joansie Cutsforth (daughter of Kaley and Branden Cutsforth).

A true Montanan at heart, Chuck eventually returned to his home state after his children were grown. He was deeply proud of his Norwegian heritage, his country and his Montana roots. In his later years, he contributed to the Clark Fork Valley Press, covering sports and writing his well-loved column, Kvelve’s Comments.

Chuck was a compassionate, charismatic and witty man whose humor and warmth left an impression on everyone he met. He loved his children, grandchildren, country and — most of all — the big man upstairs.

According to his wishes, Chuck’s ashes will be spread in his hometown of Billings. He will be dearly missed, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and community.