Eleanor 'Frances' Gile, 89
Eleanor "Frances" Gile, 89, passed away Oct. 29, 2006, at Heritage Place in Kalispell, as she recovered from hip replacement surgery and pneumonia. She was born July 22, 1917 in Bozeman, to Robert C. and Frances M. (Heath) Tedrick.
Significant in her life was recently renewing her Christian faith and seeking the spiritual guidance she needed during the most traumatic month of her life.
Frances lived in Montana all but three months of her life. She grew up on a ranch near Livingston and met Jess while working at a dude ranch. They married on Oct. 12, 1940, and settled on a ranch of their own. They sold the Livingston ranch in 1954 and moved to Alaska. After a short time, they moved back to Montana, choosing the Flathead Valley as their new home. They settled in Evergreen where they lived for nearly 40 years before moving into town with their daughter.
Frances cherished her many friends and neighbors throughout Montana, loved to socialize, enjoyed cooking and baking, and liked to sew. She made complete wardrobes for many dolls as well as clothing for the family. Every year she canned and froze many pints of fruits and vegetables from their garden. She also took great pride in her beautiful flower gardens, especially her gladiolas. She continued to grow a small garden at her daughter's house, and still raised beautiful perennial flowers each year for as long as she could.
She could be entertained for hours by wild birds, gray partridges, and squirrels at the feeder, going for rides just for the scenery or to look for wild critters, and check on the local zebras and camel.
Frances was referred to by all who knew her as a very gentle, sweet, and special lady. She will be deeply missed.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse C. Gile in 1996; her parents; brothers, John and Robert Tedrick; and nephews, Elmer and Robert Tedrick. The ashes of her Kitsie cat will be buried with her.
She is survived by her daughter, Mable Sparks, and husband, Jerry, of Kalispell; grandsons, Duane Hoffman of Carson City, Nev., and Darren Hoffman of Minneapolis; several cousins, nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her Tootsie dog that was a constant companion for most of the past two years.
Funeral services for Frances Gile will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3, at the Cornerstone Community Church, 1970 U.S. 93 N (corner of Northridge and U.S. 93) with Pastor Luke Knoll officiating. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the charity of choice.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Frances' family.