Esther Marion Montgomery, 88

Esther Marion Montgomery, 88, passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at Brendan House in Kalispell.

She was born on Aug. 6, 1917, to Harvey and Anna Marie (Mang) Marsh, 10 miles south of Chinook on her parents' homestead. Esther received her early education attending Logie School; a small one- room school house.

She married James Montgomery on Sept. 19, 1934, in Havre. They made their home, mostly in Chinook, farming the original homestead until moving to the Flathead Valley in 1961. Esther then cooked at Spotted Bear Ranger Station for about four years. The couple moved to the Mountain Brook Community in 1965 where Esther remained until entering Brendan House in 2003.

Esther was a member of the Mountain Brook Ladies Club, enjoyed playing pinochle, was active in the Creston Fire Department Auxiliary and was an avid quilter. She was also a longtime member of the Presbyterian Church and Eastern Star.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; an infant daughter, Jesse; one grandson, Lyle Montgomery; and her only sister, Kathryn Wright.

She is survived by two sons, Ralph M. Montgomery and wife, Vanda, of Chinook, and Neal D. Montgomery of Whitefish; and one daughter, Ruth Holtz and companion, Wayne Fox, of Kalispell; four grandchildren, Calista Montgomery; Paul and Roberta Montgomery; Colin and Amy Holtz and Nathan Holtz; three great grandchildren, Arielle Holtz, Kyle Montgomery and Kayla Montgomery; along with numerous other relatives.

Memorial services for Esther will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Glenn Burfeind of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Urn burial will take place in Chinook, later this summer.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to the Mountain Brook Scholarship Fund, c/o Linda Benson, 275 VanSant, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Esther's family.