Susan Ingrum
Susan E. "Susie" Ingrum, 82, passed away Oct. 16, 2005, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.
She was born March 30, 1923, at Dillon, the daughter of Elmer and Lillian (Norris) Clark, joining two brothers and a sister. Susie had attended schools in Libby where the family resided for a while, as well as in Kalispell.
She eloped with Glen Ingrum, the love her life, and they married on June 11, 1940. Susie and Glen celebrated nearly 55 years together before his death in 1995. They had one son, Kenneth.
Susie was primarily a homemaker, but worked for a short time as a waitress at the Temple Tea Room in Kalispell during World War II while her husband served with the Navy. She was bookkeeper for Glen Ingrum Log Truck business, and frequently accompanied Glen during log hauling. After retirement, they wintered in Yuma, Ariz., during the 1980s and 1990s, where Susie was fond of shopping and trips to Mexico.
Susie enjoyed flower gardening and arranging, upholstery work, dancing, RV travel and camping, and boating on Flathead Lake. She also played bridge, and belonged to a local bridge club for several years.
Time spent with family and friends was very important to her, and she rarely missed an opportunity to attend gatherings. Susie was always ready to provide comfort and lodging to family at her home in Kalispell, even at a moment's notice. Easter holidays and branding time at the Hansberry ranch in Eureka were also special highlights in Susie's life.
Susie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bill and Wayne Clark; a sister, Flora McClouth; as well as her beloved husband, Glen; and son, Kenneth Ingrum.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law Marilyn Ingrum, granddaughter Tamara Ingrum, and great grandchildren Cassie, Kayla, Ashley and Ashton, all of Florida; step grandchildren Tony Wamsley and Deena Dennison, five step great grandchildren and two step great great grandchildren; also surviving are nieces, nephews and cousins.
Kate Wilson
Kate Mosler Wilson passed away peacefully on Oct. 3, 2005, at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
She was born Dec. 20, 1919.
A longtime resident of the desert, she was an avid golfer, former club champion and had five holes-in-one. As a prominent Realtor, she co-founded Smoke Tree Realty and retired as manager of Springs Resale.
Katie was a frequent Whitefish visitor, staying at Bay Point, where she entertained and played bridge.
Her humor, kindness and love of life touched many lives. She will be missed by all of her friends and family who knew her and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Albert (Bud) Wilson.
Katie will forever be remembered by her children, Nancy Frank and Steven Wilson and wife Vickie; grandchildren Kerry Hester and husband Doug, Derek Frank and wife Annette, Amy Brown and husband Brian, and Kevin Wilson; great grandchildren Abby and Tate Brown; and her lifelong friend Edie Rubin.
Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association Hospice, Attn: Charitable Donations, 42600 Cook St. #202, Palm Desert CA 92211, or to your favorite charity.
Dorothy Wixson
Dorothy Darling Wixson, 94, Columbia Falls, died Oct. 16, 2005, at the North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.
Dorothy was born Dec. 26, 1910, in Montford to Claude and Etta Huntsinger. They moved to Columbia Falls when she was three years old. She graduated from Columbia Falls High School in 1930.
As a teenager, she played background music for the silent movies at the Park Theater in Columbia Falls. After high school, she worked as a telephone operator in Whitefish.
Dorothy was a long ime member of the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. She was active in the Epworth League as a young girl and later a member of Circle 1, as was her mother, Etta. She had many fond memories of service in her church.
Dorothy joined the Royal Neighbors Lodge at 16 and served as a musician for many years. She was a member of the North Valley Senior Citizen Center and also did volunteer work at the Klothes Kloset.
Dorothy married Lester Darling in 1932, a union that lasted until Lester's death in 1976. They had eight children, all of whom have happy memories of the summers living at Spotted Bear when Lester worked for the Forest Service.
Dorothy was married to Howard Wixson in 1982 until his death in 1996. They enjoyed dancing and traveling.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands Les and Howard and a daughter, Donna .
She is survived by children Connie Gamble, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Shirley Adams and husband Bob, of Columbia Falls, Jerry Darling and wife Marion, of Creston, Shari Benzien, of Columbia Falls, Bobby Darling and wife Diane, of Fort Benton, Sue Smith and husband Joe, of Columbia Falls, and Ronnie Darling of Columbia Falls; a step-daughter, Myrtle Langton of Columbia Falls; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Thursday (today), Oct. 20, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls. Pastor David Jones will officiate.
The family has suggested that memorials be made to the United Methodist Church in Columbia Falls.
Dali Llama
Dali Llama passed away Sunday night as a result of wounds received from an attack by dogs the previous week.
Dali's original birth date is unknown, but Tork Torkelson, of Whitefish, purchased the llama four years ago to help keep the grass and fire danger down in his barn yard. After some time together, Torkelson says the llama became more of a pet to him.
Torkelson treated the animal Sunday evening with its regiment of medication to treat infection and keep flies away from the wound. Dali even went for a little walk that evening.
Torkelson believes the animal succumbed to infection or maggots in the wound.
Dali was buried in Torkelson's yard on Monday morning.