Hildur Jenny Hanson Munson, 89
Hildur Jenny Hanson Munson "went to be with her Savior, Lord Jesus Christ, and her Heavenly family" on the 11th of July 2005, at the age of 89. "She is now at rest in her Heavenly home, with her husband, Clifford Munson," who preceded her in death in 2003 at the age of 91.
Hildur was born Feb. 11, 1916, one of twin daughters born unto Hilmer and Marie Hanson, in Bigfork, Minn. She joined two sisters and three brothers in their life at the Norwegian family farm.
At age 18, Hildur moved to Seattle, where she received her formal education at Northwest Bible Institute of Kirkland, Wash., graduating as a founding member of the pioneer class.
It was there that she met Clifford Munson, and agreed to marry. Together, this faith-bound couple was to have eight children, all surviving except an infant son, Loren Munson. They are Richard and Winona Munson, of Fairfax, Calif.; Hildur Marie and Philip Meador, of Glendale, Calif.; Doris and Craig Leverault, of Mountain View, Calif.; Florence and Alan Jones, of Missoula; Helen Munson-Kley and Victor Kley of Berkeley, Calif.; Virginia and Phil Clark, of Kalispell; and David and Sybil Munson, of Kalispell. She also leaves 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly.
Hildur also leaves behind wonderful memories with many friends, students, and simply those that her gentle nature touched.
As an entrepreneur, Momma, with her home full of children, realized many dreams -- while working as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in Polson, she also delivered her prized recipe, greaseless donuts, cooked in her home bakery, to many grocery stores along the same newspaper route that she traveled daily, covering the entire Flathead Lake, enduring all types of Montana weather. She was the epitome of a multi-tasking woman!
She delivered her beloved knowledge and encouragement to others; helping them to learn, to grow, to be all they could be. Her compassion and love of life and learning encouraged others to strive for more, as she had done. Her joy grew stronger with every person she held out her heart and her hand to.
She strongly believed in education for all, and was involved in the nursing educational program in Polson, including development of fundraising ventures that led to the establishment of the nursing library of the Mission Mountain College.
"The spirit of Momma cannot be summated easily, nor in few words. She embodied faith, love, compassion, joy and life -- completely and selflessly. Her Norwegian heritage became a part of all of us -- we all learned to eat with a 'guufal and shay,' and began asking for 'schmers' on our breakfast muffins. As these terms wound their way into our daily language, Momma's love and joy wound themselves into our daily lives. She taught all those whose lives she touched, and even at Immanuel Lutheran -- Norwegian counting, language and traditions; she taught love and joy; she taught compassion; she taught patience and tenacity -- her very-blue Norwegian eyes twinkling, as we all struggled to remember her words and pronunciations of a language most of us didn't know. Let us never forget these lessons -- lessons of love and faith and life and joy."
Hildur has left this message to all: "Love God; love your family; love people. Make a difference in your corner of the world." We send this message to you, Mom: "Until we meet again, Mother, we love you. Well done, good and faithful servant."
"Enter ye unto the rest that God has prepared for you."
Funeral services will be held at the New Life Christian Center in Polson on 1 p.m. Thursday, July 14. Graveside services to follow at Lake View Cemetery, in Polson.
A remembrance of a life well lived will also be held at Immanuel Lutheran Home, in Kalispell on Wednesday, July 13 at 3 p.m.
Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Hildur's family.