Ila Mae (Butler) Moore, 70
Our beautiful wife and mother, Ila Mae (Butler) Moore passed away at the young age of 70 on Sept. 28, 2005, at her home in Helena surrounded by her family. Truly our miracle lady, she had beaten ovarian and breast cancer 20 years ago. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. Ila filled each and every day with family, fun and travel.
Ila was born the third child to Florence (Forester) and Jay Butler on Oct. 10, 1934, in Lewistown. Her father died when Ila was only 3, and shortly thereafter Florence moved the family to the Flathead Valley, where she was raised.
Ila met the love of her life at the age of 15, and at 17 she and Glen E. Moore were married in Kalispell on April 22, 1952, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church.
Ila was a full-time wife, homemaker and mother extraordinaire. Only after all of the kids were through school did Ila take a job outside of the home. Initially starting in the nursing department at Carroll College in 1976, Ila worked at Westmont in the medical records department where she retired in 1993.
An avid sports fan, she and Glen followed all of their kids' sports activities and later the grandkids' as well. Upon retirement, Ila and Glen became "snowbirds," traveling across the South in the winter and spending many long, happy summers at their beloved place in Rollins Bay on Flathead Lake. Eventually, they made Yuma, Ariz., their official second home.
To our surprise, Glen and Ila took up square dancing, which brought them many years of enjoyment. Ila loved to travel, visiting Mexico, Hawaii, England and western Europe. Their last trip was to New England in the fall of 2003.
Ila is survived by Glen, her loving husband of 53 years; sons, Rod and Kari Moore of Portland, and Rick and Kathryn Moore of Twin Falls, Idaho; daughters, Kathy and Scott Smith, and Kris and Bob Schmitz, both of Helena; 10 grandchildren, Michelle, Erik and Craig Moore, Megan and Julie Moore, Nicole, Andrea and Daniel Smith, and Shayla and Shanna Schmitz; and three great-grandchildren. Her devoted siblings also survive -- sister, Dolly Moeller, and twin brothers, Jim and Marsha, and Gerry and Ellie Burnett, all of Tucson, Ariz.; and many more close friends and family.
Her parents and one brother preceded her in death.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 30, at Retz Funeral Home in Helena. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Helena, with a reception immediately afterward. Burial services will be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, with a reception to be held at the WestCoast Kalispell Center after the graveside service. All friends are invited.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hospice of St. Peter's or the Cancer Treatment Center, C/O St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway St. Helena, MT 59601.
It is not how she died, although she did so with incredible strength and courage, but how she lived that we will always remember. "Until we meet again, we will miss you, Mom."