Ila Van Slyke, 90

Ila Van Slyke, 90, passed away at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell on Thursday, March 10, 2005.

Ila was born Oct. 6, 1914, to Clyde and Bertha Joy of Whitefish. She graduated from Whitefish High School with honors, receiving a scholarship to Kinmon Business College. Unfortunately, at the last minute, she had to cancel her plans due to the untimely death of her mother. Ila elected to stay home and help her dad raise her four siblings, all younger than she.

Ila later married Raymond Van Slyke and worked as a stay-at-home mom, raising two boys, Clyde and Gary. Raymond was a railroad engineer, which took him away from home two and three days at a time. Ila took her career as wife and mother very seriously, devoting most of her waking moments to the care of her husband and boys. It wasn't until her boys were on their own that she worked and performed volunteer duties outside the home.

Ila is survived by two sons, Clyde Van Slyke of Sheridan, Wyo., and Gary Van Slyke and his wife Sherry of Whitefish; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at the Whitefish Cemetery on Tuesday, March 15 at 1 p.m., followed by a gathering of friends and relatives at the Whitefish Moose Lodge. The service will be conducted by Pastor Darrell Newby of the Columbia Falls Assembly of God Church.

The family is being cared for by Austin Funeral Home.