Brett Allen Thoft

Brett Allen Thoft, 33 of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, doing what he loved; flying airplanes through the countryside he grew up in.

Brett was born on Feb. 2, 1981, in Missoula and grew up on his family's ranch in Irvine Flats outside of Polson. At a young age, Brett learned to work hard and his passion for aviation was fueled by riding in a helicopter with good family friend Ron Gipe. In his teens, Brett purchased a Piper J-3 cub and earned his pilot license. He flew that J-3 back and forth across the Mission Mountains to Helena while attending college for aviation mechanics.

After receiving his certifications, Brett followed his dreams to The Last Frontier. He guided big game hunters, fishermen and flew Super Cubs. His love for Alaska grew with every hour he flew and every hunt he guided.

Brett logged over 5, 000 flight hours and most of them were 'Alaska time'. He logged countless hours in the Brooks Range, Wrangell Mountains, Dillingham area, the furthest tip of the Alaska Peninsula, the remote island of Nunivak, and one of his jobs even took him all the way to Juneau. He loved his trip to Juneau and back because he got to fly along side to his lifelong pal, his brother Matthew.

Brett was happy to have the love of his life, Nicole Stanley, also a Polson native, by his side through everything. Brett and Nicole, along with their beautiful daughters, Amy (6) and Alyssa (4) started Full Curl Aviation based out of Wasilla and grew it in to a very successful family run business. Being an air-taxi around the state, guiding in some of the most remote places, and growing a reputation for his meticulous airplane mechanics, Brett took great pride in his two airplanes; an M7 Maule and a Piper Super Cub, two of the many things that helped carry him through his countless adventures.

Brett will be flying high with his grandparents Robert Thoft Sr. and his wife Alice, Fred 'Friendly Hearted' Peters and his aunts Joan McKeen and Jane Peters.

Brett will proudly be watching over his wife Nicole and his two daughters Amy (6) and Alyssa (4); parents Bob and Susie Thoft of St. Ignatius; brother Matt and Emily Thoft of Palmer, Alaska; sister Stacey and Greg, niece Sayre (3) and nephew Dalton (6 months) Plimmer of Elizabeth, Colorado; grandmother Dorothy Peters of Rathdrum, Idaho, and countless cousins, aunts, uncles and lifelong family friends.

A celebration of Brett's adventurous life will be held Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Ronan Community Center starting at 1 p.m.

Brett's girls, Nicole, Amy and Alyssa, were the center of his world. In lieu of flowers, a donation account has been set up at Glacier Bank in Nicole Stanley's name. You can also donate funds to help the family out at www.gofundme.com/BRETT-THOFT-APHA.

Brett lived a lifetime's worth of adventure in his 33 years. Some people live their whole lives afraid to pursue their God-given talents and passions. Brett was one who boldly pursued and perfected them: family and flying. He will forever be greatly missed in our skies.

Read Brett Thoft's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.