Alvena Mae Lyford , 75

Alvena Mae Lyford, 75, of Kalispell passed away Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2007, after a lengthy illness. She was at home surrounded by her loving family at the time of her death. Alvena was born Oct. 1, 1931, to Pete and Minnie Jensen in Choteau. She was raised on her grandparents ranch (still known today as the Townsend place) by her parents, John and Minnie Leubner, in Bynum. They all moved to the Deer Park area south of Columbia Falls in the mid 1940s. She completed her education in Kalispell, where she graduated in 1950.

She married Wilbur A. Lyford on July 19, 1950. They spent their married life and raised their three children in Kalispell. Wilbur preceded her in death Jan. 15, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John and Minnie Leubner.

In the early years she was a member of the Glacier Go-Cart Club arid The Arabian Horse Club. She also attended pilot school.

Alvena's greatest joys in life were her family, friends, traveling, gardening, quilting, and her dog, Gidget. She was a member of The Women of the Moose, Chapter 1710, of Kalispell. She was best known as a "friend who would do anything for anyone." She was fun-loving and very creative.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Davis Pipe and Machinery for more than 30 years.

Alvena is survived by her loving companion, Art Olson, of Kalispell; son, Lon and wife, Debbie, of Big Lake, Alaska; daughter Cassandra Bowen, and husband, Steve, of KalispelI; daughter, Roxanne Melistead and husband, Brian, of Sandusky, Mich.; sister, Martha Kassel and her companion, Bill Beierle, of Columbia Falls; and brother, Johnny Leubner, also of Columbia Falls. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her special extended family, Trent and Becky Olson and their son, Darin.

Memorial services for Alvena will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at the Central Christian Church, 240 2 Ave. E., in Kalispell. Afterward, there will be a celebration of Alvena's life at Moose Lodge 1922, 2158 U.S. 2 E., in Kalispell. There will be no visitation. Her cremains will be interred at Conrad Memorial Cemetery at a private family service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice or to the donors choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Buffalo Hill Funeral Home.