Barbara Ann Besel, 59

Barbara Ann Besel, 59, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. Barbara was born July 12, 1947, in Havre to Everett and Maymie (Julkowski) Swisher. She was raised in Havre, where she attended schools.

Barbara was married to Gordon Besel on July 18, 1992, in Missoula.

She had worked for Tomlison Black Realty of Spokane for many years.

After moving to the Flathead Valley, she went to work as a loan officer for the Flathead Bank in Kalispell.

Her interests included her friends, family, gardening, her dog and golf.

She is survived by her husband, Gordon Besel, of Kalispell; daughter, Teri Szombathy, of Sun Valley, Idaho; sister, Patti Best, of Spokane; grandchildren, Alexa and Olivia Szombathy of Sun Valley; nephew, Brian Best, and a niece, Brandy Best, both of Spokane.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, with the Rev. Tom Gopp officiating. Urn burial will be at C.E. Conrad Cemetery. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the Besel's home, 39 Gray Hawk Court, in Bigfork.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 3499 U.S. 93 North, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.