Mary Katherine Holmquist Hamilton, 73

Mary Katherine Paine Holmquist Hamilton, 73, "went home to be with our Lord" on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005, in Kalispell. Because of her long, hard battle with cancer, she earned the nickname, "Miracle Mary." She had a very strong will to live. Mary was born in Bismarck, N.D., on Oct. 18, 1931, to Albert and Alberta (Saine) Paine.

At an early age and after the death of her father, Mary moved to Kalispell with her family, where she attended school at Cornelius Hedges and Kila.

Mary met and married Ernest Holmquist in 1947. From this union six children were born. She enjoyed embroidering, flower gardening, home canning and reading. She loved fishing and camping, especially fishing in the boat with her son, Steve. She also loved playing cards -- Skipbo and Sequence -- with Steve and always looked forward to his visits. Mary moved to California in 1968 for health reasons. A short time later her marriage ended in divorce. Mary met and married Jerry Hamilton on Nov. 1, 1969. They returned to Montana in 1977 upon Jerry's retirement from the Navy.

Mary came to know the Lord in 1996 and became a very active member of the Salvation Army Church. She served as Home League Secretary. She loved going to the nursing homes to visit the residents. She was "Grandma Mary" to the youth of the church and was a friend to all.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers; Arthur Paine and Floyd Harness; her sister, Fern Bolt; a son, Clement, and husband, Jerry Hamilton.

She is survived by three sons; Clinton Holmquist and wife Cheri of Texarkana, Texas, Steven Holmquist and wife Elaine of Bigfork, and Carl Holmquist and wife Loretta of Fowler, Colo.; two daughters, Sandra Gipe and husband Howard, and Susan Kennedy, all of Kalispell. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; two brothers; George Paine and wife Yvone of Eureke; and Roy Paine of Indiana; as well as her aunt, Gladys of Indiana.

"A special thank-you from the bottom, of our hearts for the constant caring, loving and companionship goes to her daughter, Susan. We also want to thank Dr. Habel, who she thought was so handsome and he was 'hers' -- hands-off, girls. Her special friend, 'like a sister,' Shirley Cooper. 'Still my daughter-in-law,' Karen Holmquist. A regular visitor from church, Flora Lind. And a big, big thank you to her friend, Pete Arneson."

He would pick her up and take her to church and then to lunch on Sundays. He was there faithfully every Monday evening and spent time with her.

Funeral services for Mary will be held Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Salvation Army Chapel in Kalispell. Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Committal services will be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m. The family suggests memorial donations be sent to the Salvation Army Church, 110 Bountiful Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901; Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite #100, Kalispell, MT 59901 or to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Suite #105, Missoula, MT 59808.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Mary's family.