Catherine Sophia Stedje Prestbye, 87

Catherine Sophia Stedje Prestbye, 87, died on Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, at Tacoma Lutheran Home in Tacoma, Wash.

She was born on Sept. 4, 1917, in rural Hettinger, N.D., the daughter of Erick and Karen (Hjelle) Stedje the youngest of eight children, four sisters and three brothers. She was baptized and confirmed at Richland Lutheran Church in rural Hettinger. Catherine attended school in rural Hettinger and Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis.

She moved to Kalispell with her mother to live closer to two of her brothers. Here she met Norman R. Prestbye and they were united in marriage at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Feb. 15, 1945. They moved to their first home in Polson, while her husband served as pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson and Faith Lutheran in Ronan 1945-1950. They also lived in Culbertson, 1950-1956; Clarkston, Wash., 1956-1964; Canby, Ore., 1964-1981. Following retirement they lived at Lakeside; Beaverton, Ore., Woodburn, Ore.; Kalispell; Mukilteo, Wash., and Tacoma.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, on Nov. 24, 2004; her parents and six siblings.

She is survived by a son, Fergus N. Prestbye and wife, Jane, of Kent, Wash.; and a daughter, Arletta Anderson and husband, Roger, of Mukilteo; three granddaughters, Dayna Steringer of Portland, Amanda Brunaugh of Puyallup, Wash., and Brita Anderson of Naperville, Ill.; great-grandsons, Erik and Kyle; and one brother, Norman Stedje of Kalispell.

Funeral services for Catherine Prestbye will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell with Rev. Larry Stappler officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main, Kalispell, MT 59901 or Richland Lutheran Church, Route 1, Box 225, Hettinger, ND 58639.

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