Lillian (Risdal) Ramsfield Bailey, 83
Lillian (Risdal) Ramsfield Bailey, 83, passed away Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at Brendan House after a four and a half year battle with lung cancer. She was born June 6, 1924, in Sidney, to George and Gustava Risdal. The family moved to the lower Flathead Valley in 1938, and she graduated from Flathead County High School in 1942.
Lillian married Eddie Ramsfield in Merced, Calif., in 1943. They returned to Montana in 1946, and purchased a dairy farm in Ferndale. She lived on that same property until January 2006 when she moved to Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell.
She married Nebb Bailey in 1978. They enjoyed traveling and visiting relatives especially after Nebb's retirement from the Anaconda Aluminum Company.
Lillian worked for many years at the Bigfork Drug Store and also at Sliters Hardware in Bigfork.
She was a long-time member of the Ferndale Sewing Circle and Bethany Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School, was active in the women's organization, and faithfully quilted for Lutheran World Relief.
Singing was her passion. It began at home with her parents and siblings. Her involvement in music continued as a member of high school choir and ensemble, church choir, Sweet Adelines, Valley Chamber Choir, and Heartstrings quartet.
She enjoyed tending her flower and vegetable gardens, which were once part of the Bigfork Garden Tour.
Her parents; husbands, Eddie Ramsfield and Nebb Bailey; siblings, Jorgen, Thorvald, Olav and Esther Risdal, and Thelma Bollinger, preceded her in death.
Lillian is survived by her children, Beverly and Dennis Ostroot of Bigfork, Carolyn and Bryce Abel of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Ron Ramsfield of Bozeman; sister, Agnes Lee of Kalispell; brothers, George and Claudine Risdal of West Monroe, La., and Ralph and Jackie Risdal of Sammamish, Wash.; grandchildren, Johann Ostroot, Amy and Jeff Flavin, and Darcey and Cory Pierce; and great-grandchildren, Calen and Cameron Ostroot, Megan and Alex Flavin, and Hailey Pierce. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive her.
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today, July 13, and from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, July 14, at the Bigfork Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork.
Memorials are suggested to Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911; the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 214, Bigfork, MT 59911.