Helen 'Ella' Agnes Bear, 92

Helen "Ella" Agnes Bear, 92, passed away on Aug. 4, 2008, at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Whitefish. Ella was born on Jan. 22, 1916, in Oberon, Colo. She was the fourth of eight children born to Joseph and Bertha (Bohlin) Bartosch.

Ella attended school and worked in Denver until she married Frank Bear on Feb. 1, 1937. Frank and Ella lived in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho before moving to Montana in 1958. After Frank retired in 1973, they moved to the Flathead Valley.

Ella was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband of 62 years, Frank Bear, and her son, Frank M. Bear.

She is survived by her daughters, Janet Wolverton of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Colette Kirsch of Missoula; her sons, John Bear of Kalispell and Michael Bear of Tempe, Ariz.; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ella was a devout Catholic who spent many hours volunteering for church activities. She was also the historian for the Samaritan House in Kalispell. Her hobbies included knitting and crocheting - skills she shared with anyone who asked for her help.

Ella possessed an inquisitive mind and had a wide range of interests. Her life revolved around her family and friends. Ella was a selfless and caring person. She had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed nothing more than a good laugh. Her passing is truly a loss for all of us.

Visitation begins at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, followed by a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. The funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell. Her interment at Glacier Memorial Gardens will be followed by a reception at St. Matthew's.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Samaritan House, 124 Ninth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Friends are encouraged to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to leave condolences and sign the guest register.