Gwenith L. Moen, 81

Gwenith L. Moen, 81, passed away on April 26, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell after a short battle with lung cancer. Gwen was born in Chester to George and Martha Ross on Sept. 14, 1923. She was the sixth of seven children. In 1936 she moved with her family to Rexford, and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka in 1941.

Gwen moved to Kalispell and there she learned her accounting skills. She lived with her sister Helen in Kalispeil and it is there that she met her future husband, Harold B. Moen. They were married on July 31, 1945, in Kalispell and enjoyed 55 years together.

She worked at various bookkeeping jobs over the years. Later she worked in the business office of School District 5 for many years; then worked for Dr. Al Swanberg and also Dr. Little at the Kalispell Medical Arts Center, from which she retired.

She always enjoyed learning. Over the last several years she learned how to use a computer and was able to develop skills in digital photography and e-mail, which she used to send many of her favorite pictures to friends and family.

Among her many interests were following Flathead High School sports and joining the Moose Lodge, where she developed many new friendships. Gwen enjoyed playing cards and many special meals there.

Her lifelong hobby was collecting antiques. The antique shops were always the first destinations on her travels. She enjoyed the antiques and their stories.

She and Harold enjoyed traveling, especially to Florida and Hawaii with their family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Harold; sister, Juanita (who died in infancy); sister, Louise; and brother, Ed.

She is survived by her sons, Gary Moen, of Lakeside with Helen Bradley of Yakima, Wash.; and Steve Moen, with Margaret Ewert of Kalispell. Also surviving are her grandsons, Michael Moen and wife, Andrea, of Winter Haven, Fla., and Richard Strand and wife, Kathy, of Columbia Falls; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Troy Moen of Winter Haven, and Tasha Strand of Columbia Falls; sisters, Helen Kidder and husband, Dan, of Missoula, Georgie Wickburg and husband, Floyd, of Missoula and Margie Martin of Regent, N.D., along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be today, April 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Memorial services will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Glacier Church, 690 Grandview Drive in Kalispell. Interment will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Hal Irvine will conduct the services. A short reception will follow at the Moose Lodge in Evergreen.