Obituary

Eloise S. Berg, 78

Eloise S. Hanson Berg, 78, died peacefully Oct. 13, 2009, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by family in her final days.

She was born Dec. 30, 1930, in Turtleford, Saskatchewan in Canada, to Adrian and Christine Hanson. She was the middle of three sisters. The family moved to Glasgow soon after she was born, and she grew up on her parents' dairy, spending lots of time playing in and around the nearby creek with her sisters, Donna and Loreen. She graduated from Glasgow High School and attended the University of Montana-Missoula for one year.

In 1950, she married Donavon Berg and they moved to St. Paul, Minn., where their daughter, Laurie, was born. A couple months later, they moved back to Glasgow. Their son Gary was born there. They then moved to Sidney, where Donavon worked as a game warden for many years.

In 1966, they moved to New Richmond, Wis., and two years later they were thrilled to be able to adopt their son Michael. In 1978, they decided to move back to Montana, and they spent many happy years in the beautiful Bigfork area. They raised cherries for a few years and also spent five years as caretakers at the Kootenai Lodge.

Eloise was known as a wonderful cook, and she sold her cheesecakes to local restaurants for a time. She always had goodies on hand, served on her best china, whenever anyone dropped in. She was also an excellent seamstress, she had a great eye for decorating, and she was very good at drawing and painting.

She made everything she did look easy, and she gave her children and other members of her family a high standard to strive for. Don died in 1994, and Eloise had to adjust to life alone after nearly 44 years with her loving partner.

She was active in the Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, including singing in the choir. For many of her later years, she enjoyed spending time with her close friend, Bill Driver. He brought so much fun into her life in those years and made it possible for her to stay in her home even as early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease became apparent. Eloise spent the last two years in the Edgewood Vista memory care facility in Missoula, where the wonderful staff took loving care of her.

Eloise is survived by her daughter, Laurie Berg-Shaner (Glenn Shaner) of Polson; her son Gary and his fiance, Sonja Bodge, of Brier, Wash.; her son Michael (Cinnamon) of Seattle; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her two much-loved sisters, Donna Hurst of Mesa, Ariz., and Loreen Olds of Pacific, Wash., and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Bigfork.

Elizabeth 'Liz' Atkins Malone, 84

Elizabeth "Liz" Atkins Malone, 84, passed away peacefully Oct. 14, 2009 in Kalispell with her children at her side.

She was born April 16, 1925, in Elkhart, Ind., to George and Clarice Rau Atkins. She lived in the Elkhart area most of her life, attending Elkhart public schools and later St. Mary's Academy in Holy Cross, Ind., where she graduated in 1943. She also attended St. Mary's College.

She married William "Bill" Malone in 1951. They were married in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the University of Notre Dame where Bill graduated from law school. They moved to Bristol, Ind., and lived on W.E. Farm for 56 years. She was a doting and wonderful mother to children Michael and Mary and as a family they enjoyed horses, dogs, gardening and all the adventures of country living.

Over the years she worked in several banks in Northern Indiana in positions of teller and assistant branch manager. She was also a member of the Alpha Rho chapter of the Kappa Kappa Service Sorority and enjoyed participating in charitable fundraising events and style show modeling. Liz looked forward to her monthly bridge game. She was a member of the St. Mary's of the Annunciation parish in Bristol.

Liz was a compassionate caregiver and was always willing to assist someone else in need. She touched many lives with her gentle spirit and "you first" attitude.

In 2006, Liz and Bill moved to Bigfork to be closer to their children.

She is survived by a son, Michael and wife Sharon and beloved granddaughter McKenzie Elizabeth of Portland, Ore.; daughter, Mary Bryan and husband Steve of Bigfork; niece, Mary Lenore Malone of Austin, Texas; cousins, Patricia Sollitt Denny of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Janet Sollitt Scholtes of Granger, Ind.; and her dear lifelong friend Marge Ziesel Krumwiede of Elkhart, Ind..

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, sister Alice and brother Thomas.

At her request, there are no services planned at this time. The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the William C. and Elizabeth A. Malone Memorial Scholarship Fund at LaSalle Prepatory High School, Attn: Denise Jones, 11999 S.E. Fuller Road, Milwaukie, Oregon 97222; or to Bigfork Quick Response Unit (QRU), Post Office Box 2020, Bigfork, Montana 59911.