Sherry Lynn Halvorson, 51

Sherry Lynn Halvorson, 51, passed away at home in Kalispell on Sept. 13, 2005.

She was born to Ingebjorg and Clarence Halvorson in Scobey in 1954.

Sherry is survived by her loving companion, Chris Pilossoph, of Whitefish; "her 'only' child, a 9-year-old German shepherd," Moxie of Blue Mountain; her beloved father, Clarence "Indy" Halvorson, of the Vets Home in Columbia Falls; her loving brother, Jeffrey Halvorson, of Minneapolis; her loving sister, Dyanne, and nephew, Tobi Lehman, of our family home, and great-nephew, Johnathon Hardman-Lehman, of Lancaster, Calif. Sherry's also survived by her closest and beloved Aunt Agnes and Uncle Jim Nielsen of Missoula, and their sons, Mik Nielsen of Missoula, Chris Nielsen of Minneapolis and Curt Nielson of New York. Other survivors include her stepniece, Pamela, and her husband, Bing Schmidt, and their children of Stanford. Two stepbrothers, a stepsister, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews survive Sherry from Montana, the United States and Norway.

Her mother, Ingebjorg Lueck, stepmother Lorna Halvorson, preceded Sherry in death; as did stepfather, Leonard Lueck; one stepbrother; all her grandparents; and numerous aunts, uncles and several cousins.

Sherry was educated in Missoula, Kalispell and Billings; graduating from Billings Senior High School with honors in 1972. She received her pharmacist degree from the University of Montana in 1978.

She started her career at St. Vincent's Hospital in Billings. She moved out to Seattle to become a drug sales rep for Smith Klein Pharmaceuticals. She came back to Missoula for that same company in 1994. She went back to the hospital pharmacy at Missoula Community Hospital. In 2001, she moved to Whitefish and worked in several retail pharmacies. She moved in with her sister, Dyanne, in Kalispell in 2004 and found her "niche" at Albertsons Osco Pharmacy. She loved her job, counseling patients and she enjoyed and liked all her colleagues.

Sherry loved life and all who knew and loved her will miss her smile and fun-loving ways. She was proud of her Norwegian heritage. She loved her family and especially celebrating the holidays with them. She loved and spoiled her dog, Moxie, and took her everywhere she could. Sherry ran marathons across the country and even in Ireland. She was an accomplished snow skier and even mountain biked for a time. She loved to hike and camp. She loved to plant flowers, especially roses.

Sherry had a strong faith in our Lord and He also gave her strong opinions. In this last year, she found great joy in volunteering at the Touch of Grace Clinic, a free medical and pharmacy clinic.

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Pavilion at Woodland Park in Kalispell. Albertsons will be providing the food.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Any condolences may be sent to her family at 728 Ninth Ave. W., in Kalispell. Any donations or memorials may be made in her name to any animal rescue organization or Touch of Grace Clinic in Kalispell.