Jane E. Friske

Beloved mother, Jane E. Friske, 74, passed away at her home in Columbia Falls on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

She was born in Osceola, Wis., on Aug. 3, 1935 to Roy and Effie Olson. Her family moved to Whitefish in 1948. She and her sisters, Joan, June, Jean, the Olson Girls, thrived in Whitefish as they helped build the family home on Waverly Place from the ground up.

Jane attended school in Whitefish and enjoyed making treasured memories with their friends. She continued to meet with her classmates each month at the Pin & Cue for lunch and stories through the years along with her sisters.

In 1954 she met her lifelong love, Forrest Friske, and shared 53 years of marriage. Jane's joy in life was being a devoted wife and mother, always putting her husband and children first.

"Our lives were filled with wonderful meals for both lunch and dinner; sandwiches and casseroles were not seen at our table. Mom always kept our home extremely spotless. As children, we were the cleanest and had the best-pressed clothes in Columbia Falls. She was so organized and many envied her organization of having everything in its place and having whatever handy just in case you need it, be it at home, camping or on the road. Mom's family was her greatest enjoyment in life. Having her parents, sisters, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren close by throughout the years of her life brought happy times and wonderful memories," family members said.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Forrest Friske, her sister, Joan Woods and parents, Roy and Effie Olson.

Jane is survived by her three children, Tanna Friske of Columbia Falls, Tim and wife Phyllis Friske of Columbia Falls, Tina and husband Bill Berg of Marion; seven grandchildren, Justin, Josharry, and Jonathon Cheff, Sarah and Nick Friske, Erin DeLeonard and Bryan Berg; and her most-loved nine great-grandchildren that meant so much to her, Connor, Sadie and Kensley Cheff, Kyler, Kadon, Keevyn, and Kaber Cheff, and Kobie and Kalli DeLeonard. She is also survived by her sisters and their spouses, June and Jim Kuchenski, Jean and John Peterson, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, June and Dale Bar, Barbara and Dick Ott and Kenneth Friske and many very special nieces and nephews.

"In remembrance of our mother, we hope that those that smoke will consider quitting and encourage all others to do the same," family members said.

Memorials and donations may be sent to the Columbia Falls Food Bank, P.O. Box 1081, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, for those less fortunate to allow food to be placed on their table.

"We would like to thank the wonderful Flathead County Home Health personnel and nurses who have helped us over the last several years. Val and Courtney, we can't thank you enough, you are truly Mom's special ladies," family members said.

A remembrance and celebration of Jane's life will be Saturday, March 27 at the North Valley Community Center from 1 to 4 p.m. A private internment will be held this summer when the sun is shining in the South Fork of the Flatehad Valley to celebrate our everlasting love for our mother and treasured memories of our parents.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.