Cleo Mildred Fehlberg Barrie, 89
Cleo Mildred Fehlberg Barrie, 89, died Jan. 22, 2005.
She was born July 15, 1915, in Kalispell, the only child of Bruno and Malinda (Fleisher) Fehlberg. Cleo lived her childhood in Coram where her father and his partners built and operated the Coram lath mill during the 1920s. Cleo attended grade school in Coram, Belton (West Glacier) and Kalispell. Her parents moved to Kalispell in 1930. Cleo graduated from Flathead County High School in 1932.
In 1934, she was employed as an assistant in the office of A.R. Johnson Finance Co. Later she was also employed as an office assistant for the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. These offices shared floor space in the Elks Temple building in downtown Kalispell.
On Nov. 2, 1939, Cleo married her former high school classmate, Charles F. "Chuck" Barrie. Cleo began her employment at the Conrad National Bank (more recently First Interstate Bank) in 1942 and continued there during her husband's service in Europe during World War II, working in nearly every department over her 35-year career there. She especially enjoyed her position as secretary to four different presidents -- Edmiston, Bianco, Sample and Gillette -- and to the bank's board of directors. In 1979, she took early retirement from the bank.
Cleo was an avid reader and a major league baseball fan. She enjoyed playing cards and was an expert quadominos player. She liked to dance, troll for fish on Ashley Lake where they had a small summer cabin. Above all, she loved and completed many pieces of fine embroidery work.
Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, Bruno and Malinda; her husband, Charles; and many aunts, uncles, and several cousins.
She is survived by her son, Douglas, son, Lloyd and wife, Joanne; grandson, Matthew Barrie; granddaughters, Rachel and husband, Travis Steindorf, and Elise Barrie; one fine great-grandson, Adam; and her very dear friend, Doris Sonstelie, all of Kalispell.
Private family services only. No visitation will be held.
Memorials may be given to the Bread of Life, P.O. Box 1235, Kalispell, MT 59903.