Marion Alvira (Stober) Stansberry-Horn, 94

Marion 'MeMe' Alvira (Stober) Stansberry-Horn, 94, of Whitefish, passed away peacefully at the Brendan House in Kalispell on July 14, 2007.

She lived in Whitefish, but spent much time in Shelby, and Mesa, Ariz.

Marion was born on May 3, 1913, in Drake, N.D. to Herman and Emma Stober. They lived on a farm four miles from Drake. Marion graduated from Drake High School and then attended Chicago Hairdressing Academy in Fargo, N.D. She graduated in 1933 and opened the Modern Beauty Shop in Shelby, where she did hair for many years.

On Dec. 20, 1937, she married Curtis Holmes Stansberry at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Shelby. They were married for 32 years until Curtis passed away on Aug. 6, 1969. She raised Glee, who was a child from Curtis's former marriage; Glee preceded Marion in death, dying in Anchorage, Alaska.

She married Jack Lenord Horn on April 30, 1980, in Las Vegas at the Calvary Lutheran Church. Jack also preceded her in death.

Marion was from a large family of 13 children who all preceded her in death. She always wondered why she lived so long. Her doctor described her as the spunkiest 94-year-old she had seen.

She had many nieces and nephews from many states whom she dearly loved. One, Jimmy O'Haire of Happy Valley, was there when needed. Many friends were in touch also.

How do we remember Marion? Her unique laugh which everyone loved, her friendliness and jokes brought a smile to everyone's face, a great golfer, she even had a hole-in-one, a bowler and last but not least a smart card player (bridge and poker especially). She was a good mother, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. We will miss her dearly.

She was a member of the St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Shelby and would like donations to this church.

Marion is survived by her daughter, Darnell Joy Piunti, and husband, Sam, from Chicago Heights, Ill.; three grandchildren, Jason and Amy Piunti, Kristi and Christopher Porcelli, and Nancy and John Karpus; and two great-grandchildren, Sophie Karpus and Maxwell Piunti.

There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, at the Valley View Cemetery in Shelby.

Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish and Whitted Funeral Chapel in Shelby are in charge of the arrangements.