Violet Widdifield Burk, 88
Violet Widdifield Burk, 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side Oct. 27, 2006.
She was born Aug. 18, 1918, in Lambert, Mont., to Ella and James Hawley. She married Andy Widdifield on Dec. 15, 1940, in Fairview, and they were married for 40 years until Andy's passing in 1980. In 1989, Violet married Gib Burk of Olney, and they honeymooned in Arizona, seeing Violet's brother. They enjoyed 18 wonderful years together in Whitefish and traveled to Arizona during winters.
Violet worked at North Valley Hospital for years in the laundry department. For more than 30 years, she was an active member of the Whitefish Moose Lodge. Both Gib and Violet were avid campers and spent many weekends camping with friends and Moose members. Violet's life was spent enjoying her six children and their families. Violet was an amazing wife, Mom, Grandma, and friend. She will be deeply missed and will live on in our hearts forever.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents, Ella and James Hawley; her brother, Dale Hawley; her sister, Lucille Ulrich; her first husband, Andy Widdifield; and two grandsons, Dwayne Slocum and Michael Widdifield.
She is survived by her husband, Gib; her two brothers and their families, Curt Mavity and Gary Mavity; her six children and their families, Chuck Widdifield of Alaska, Shirley Stoner of Arizona, Sylvia Slocum of Arizona, Andy Widdifield Jr. of Whitefish, Don Widdifield of California, and Ella Kerr of Spokane; 19 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Oct. 30, at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Austin Funeral Home with cemetery services at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Reception will be after cemetery services at Whitefish Moose Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to breast cancer or heart research associations of their choice, or to the Whitefish Moose Lodge.