Dorothy Holden, 88

Dorothy Holden, 88, died on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006, at Heritage Place in Kalispell. She was born on May 24, 1918, in Fosston, Minn., at the home of her maternal grandparents, Andrew and Kari Gorden, the daughter of Chris and Carrie (Gordon) Fuglestad. Dorothy was the youngest of seven children. She lived her early years in Climax, Saskatchewan, as well as graduating there; it is also where her parents had homesteaded.

She swam in the White Mud River and in Cypress Lake, Saskatchewan.

When her sister and brother-in-law, Ella and Clarence Gryde, and daughter, Avis, moved to Kalispell, Dorothy joined them here.

She married A. C. "Bud" Holden on Jan. 1, 1939.

She was first employed as a waitress and then was hired by the telephone company. She worked there for many years, and took a few years off when their sons, Dennis and Ron, were young. She retired at the age of 64 after her many years of employment with the telephone company.

Dorothy was a devoted Christian, very faithful in reading and studying the scriptures and lived out her faith.

In 1998 their son, Dennis died - a heartbreaking experience for both her and "Bud."

The last years of Dorothy's life were difficult as her memory failed her and she began her long good-bye. Her sweet husband was a fine care giver for many years. Several years ago she was admitted to long term care up to the date of her passing.

Dorothy did wonderful needlework, was a very fine gardener and a marvelous cook. She was also a fine athlete throughout her life, swimmer, slalom water-skier; she water-skied up into her 80s. Her husband drove the boat while she did the skiing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, "Bud" in February of 2006; a son, Dennis; and each of her siblings; each of them passed away in Canada except one that passed away in Montana.

She is survived by her son, Ron Holden, of Trego, and his sons, Chris Holden and wife Tausha, and their daughter Siarah, and Eric Holden and wife Brittany, all of Kalispell; four additional grandchildren, Sean, Erin, JC and Jenny; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Norman and Leona Holden, of Central Point, Ore.; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Bob Ross officiating. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Oct. 25, at Johnson Mortuary.

Johnson Mortuary & Crematory is caring for Dorothy's family.