Dorothy Elaine (Kelleher) Schrade, 78
Dorothy Elaine (Kelleher) Schrade, 78, of Kalispell, died of cancer early Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, at Brendan House. Dorothy was born to Daniel and Bessie (Kofphammer) Kelleher on Sept. 6, 1928, in Columbia Falls. She graduated from Flathead High School in 1946, after attending school in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, Olney and Mountain Brook.
Dorothy will be remembered by her family and friends as a caring neighbor, a very spiritual and devout Catholic, and a family-oriented person. Her house resonated with good-smelling food and a warm, inviting feel that seemed to lead in those close by, and was always the perfect spot for family events. Memories among the family go from competitive card games on the weekends and holidays, to sledding, playing on the family farm, and fun in the outdoors.
The smell of Dorothy's homemade cinnamon rolls served as the alarm clock for holidays among family and was just the beginning of her homemade food - impossible to enjoy in one day. On Sundays you could find her at early Mass at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, and whether they know it or not, her family and friends felt and feel her many prayers.
The young Dorothy loved animals and the outdoors. She spent summers riding horses with her sister and seemingly knew the names of all plants and flowers. She was a Girl Scout leader and belonged to the Eagles Drill Team.
After high school, she took a job at Conrad Bank before she met her husband, George, at a logging camp in Red Meadows. Her caring heart extended to the poor as she often donated her garden canned goods to charity.
She also donated time to St. Matthew's, taking an active roll in the RE program and CCW, helping with Christmas boxes, and tending to flower gardens around the church.
Her loves included bowling (secretary of the bowling league for years), camping and fishing (especially in the South Fork), hiking, pets, cooking, knitting and crocheting, crafts (which she sold) and gardening, but it was always clear that God and her family were at the center of her life.
Dorothy celebrated her 53rd anniversary with George on Sept. 26.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Bessie Kelleher; her son, Matthew Schrade, of San Diego, in 1998; and her grandnephew, Spencer Schrade, in 1998.
Dorothy's Kalispell survivors are her husband, George Schrade; her sister, Marie Greason; daughters, Pamela Magee and Bonnie Grubb; and grandchildren, Jarod, Nathan, Ryan and Allison Grubb. Her son, Anthony Schrade, and daughter-in-law Alyce Schrade, of Castro Valley, Calif., cousin, Thelma Powell, of Kalispell; brother-in-law, Karl Schrade, of Kalispell, sister-in-law, Linda Burns, of Spokane, and numerous nieces and nephews round up those who are left to miss Dorothy Schrade.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Matthew's Catholic Church at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17. Committal will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens after the service. Visitation is in the Johnson Mortuary chapel starting at noon and ending at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, with a rosary at 7 p.m.
The family suggests memorial gifts be given to Grace Hospice Project, 1117 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; or to St. Matthew's Catholic Church Building Fund, 601 Sixth Ave., Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Dorothy's family.