Pauline "Polly" Clouse, 90
Pauline "Polly" Clouse, 90, passed away on Monday, Jan. 31, 2005, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
She was born May 24, 1914, in Windsor, Colo., to David and Elizabeth (Schenkel) Hettinger.
Polly married Arthur Clouse on May 20, 1932, in Windsor, Colo. The couple moved to the Flathead Valley in 1936 and farmed for a time in the area that is now the location of Pacific Power and Light and the junior high school.
Polly began working for the Kalispell Mercantile in 1947. Her first duties included running the doughnut machine in the grocery department. Later she worked in the china department. Upon the closure of the K.M., Polly worked for Coast to Coast, retiring twice.
With her final retirement and Arthur's death in 1981, she began a volunteer career with Brendan House. This became the love and joy of her life. In 1987, Polly was named Brendan House Volunteer of the Year. In 1989, she was named Montana Healthcare Association Volunteer of the Year. At that time, she had volunteered 3,500 hours. She continued her volunteer work with a total of 7,066 hours before becoming a resident of the Brendan House in 1996. She continued to help, where possible, as her health permitted. She loved the other residents, and especially all the care givers.
Polly served two terms as President of Resident Council of Brendan House. She was an active member of Central Bible Church and the Golden Agers Club. She also enjoyed many miles of travel with Montana Tour and Travel.
Polly will always be remembered as putting the shiniest shines on anything she touched, from her household to the popcorn machine at the Brendan House.
Polly was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son; two sisters, Mollie and Rose; five brothers, David, Reuben, Carl, Jack and Jim; brother-in-law, Jerry; and sisters-in-law, Bea and Wanda.
She is survived by her son, Harvey Clouse and wife, Mitzie, of Missoula; three grandchildren, Kristi Jackson and husband, Ralph, Dale Clouse and wife, Lucy, and Kimberly McGuire and husband, Tom; great-grandchildren, Brian, Brad, and Shawn Jackson, Elizabeth and Hannah Pauline Clouse, and Jeff, Kayla, Kristen and Kaitlyn McGuire; one sister, Freida; two brothers, Paul and Herold and wife, Betty; amd sisters-in-law, Mollie and Dorothy and their families. She is also survived by many friends and the loving staff at Brendan House. Her family is most grateful to each and every one of them.
If Friends are the Flowers of Life, Polly had a large flower garden.
Graveside services for Polly will be 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, at Glacier Memorial Gardens, Kalispell, with Pastor Ron Youde officiating.
At the family's request, there will be no visitation.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Central Bible Church, 902 First Ave. East, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.