Viola I. Dybwad, 79

Viola I. Dybwad, 79, formerly of Kalispell, "passed from this world to her heavenly home" on Oct. 23, 2007. A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Ontario, Ore.

Viola was born in Helena on April 9, 1929. She lived with her grandmother in Helena until she was 12 years old. She later lived in Darby and Kalispell. She and her husband, Alton Dybwad, moved to Fruitland, Idaho, in 2001, to be near their daughter, Donna Batt.

"Viola became a member of God's family" in 1958. For the love of Christ she served her church in various ways over the years including teaching Sunday school for 17 years, holding offices in the LWML, and as a leader of an Evangelism team. Her greatest gift to her children was the knowledge of Christ as Savior.

Reading was one of her greatest pleasures and she handed that down to her children, and in the last few months her granddaughter and caregivers.

Viola was known for her sense of humor, her smile and her faith in Christ.

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Pauley, in 1968; and husband, Alton Dybwad, in 2005; brother, Art Diehl; her parents; a daughter, Linda Ann Walker; a great-granddaughter, Kayla Marie Walker; and her son-in-law, Steve Batt.

Viola is survived by her children, Sandra Pauley Rogers of Kalispell, Randy and Leslie Pauley, of Omaha, Neb., and Donna Pauley Batt, of Fruitland. She has 15 grandchildren, including Katrina Matumeak (who helped care for her in the last six months) and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Lisa Lambert, Jennifer Carlson, Katrina Matumeak, and the team from Pathways Hospice for the loving care she has received in the last year.

Memorials may be sent to Pilgrim Lutheran Church or Pathway Hospice.