Kelman, well known businessman, passed away June 23
Pub Date: 8/1/2008
Longtime Great Falls businessman Zollie Kelman, 82, died Monday, June 23, 2008, of natural causes at a local hospital.
Kelman made his way to Great Falls from Minneapolis in 1946 as a salesman of punch-board devices.
According to an article published in the Great Falls Tribune shortly after his death, "He said he arrived in an old truck in the winter that he couldn't roll the windows up on," said Steve Potts, Kelman's attorney and friend. "He frostbit his ear, but he made it out here."
As Kelman peddled the punch-boards, he learned more about his clients' businesses so developed a vending company to supply a full line of amusement games and devices for the hospitality industry. It became, and still is, American Music Co., which vended pool tables, jukeboxes, pinball machines and, when they became legal, video gaming machines. The company is today operated by his daughter, Abby.
Kelman also dealt in real estate and operated a substantial printing company known as World Wide Press. He also owned Zollie's Jewelry Exchange among other enterprises.
The Tribune article quoted life-long Kelman friend Jerry Weissman, who said, "When he arrived in Great Falls, he had patches on the patches on his pants. He worked at anything he could to survive. He always had a good knack for business."
Kelman gave up his gambling license in the 1980s after facing, and pleading guilty to, numerous misdemeanor gambling charges.
He was nevertheless widely known and respected for his business success and acumen.
His funeral was attended by Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Atty. Gen. Mike McGrath, among other dignitaries and important figures in community and business circles.
Editor's note: The following is the formal obituary that appeared in the Great Falls Tribune.
Kelman was born Aug. 17, 1925, to Harry and Etta Kelman, in Minneapolis, Minn. Zollie was the first member of his family born in this country. His parents, brothers and sisters had emigrated from Russia.
Zollie grew up in Minneapolis during the Great Depression. When he was a boy, Zollie watched, speechless, when city utility collectors threatened to shut off his family's water unless a statement for $1.81 was paid immediately. His father was unable to pay, but Zollie's brother had an Indian head penny collection and gave 181 of them to pay the bill.
The neighbors next door were not so fortunate. When the city shut off their water, the Kelmans hooked a hose from their house to the neighbors' so that everyone had water.
From that experience, Zollie learned the importance of family, generosity, and last, but not least, having a coin collection.
Zollie left school during the 10th grade. He worked for the American Fruit and Produce Co. in Minneapolis and eventually became a salesman for a punch board distributor. His territory included Montana and in 1946 he moved to Great Falls with a truckload of merchandise to start his own business.
Despite a slow start he said bankers ran out the back door when they saw him coming in the front his hard work and business acumen prevailed. Over the years his businesses included the American Music Co., Zollie's Jewelry Exchange, and World Wide Press to name a few.
He had a well-deserved reputation for creativity and sound business principles, which led many business people to his office for advice and assistance. It has been said that he had a hand in assisting more businesses in Great Falls than any other individual.
In 1957, Zollie married Evelyn Masnek in Minneapolis. He loved Evelyn with all of his heart for the next 51 years. They honeymooned at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and then moved into an apartment in Black Eagle.
Zollie was proud to say that his daughter Abby was the first Jewish child born in Black Eagle. As the family grew to include Natalee and David, they moved first to Carol Drive and later to Grape Court in Great Falls.
In later years, the family has continued to grow. David married Darla Lewis of Great Falls, and they have three children, Jessica, Cortney, and Zachary. Abby married Mark Portney of California, and they have two children, Michael and Scott. Natalee's boyfriend is Ray Biem.
Zollie loved Great Falls. He thought it was the best place to live and work. Never once in 62 years here did he think about living anywhere else, and he had nothing but positive things to say about this area.
Zollie's family had not been allowed to own property in Russia, so he made up for it in Great Falls. He loved dinners out at restaurants and believed, based on experience, that Great Falls has the best. Most of all, he loved the people and the many friends he made here.
To those who knew him, this is a man who was larger than life and who truly loved life to its fullest extent.
The family suggests memorials to the Great Falls Hebrew Association, 1015 1st Ave. N., Suite 304, Great Falls, MT 59401.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, August, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.