Winifred Ladeine 'Winnie' Cowman, 91

Winifred Ladeine "Winnie" Cowman, 91, died Thursday, February 28, 2008, at her Buffalo Terrace home in Kalispell. Winnie was born June 17, 1916, in Mitchell, S.D., to Merle and Mildred Ball, and spent her childhood there with her brother, Bruce.

After high school, she moved to Santa Monica, Calif., where she married Varner Burdette Cowman, also of South Dakota. Together they raised their two daughters through high school and college. Later Winnie moved to San Diego and finally, in 1996, to Kalispell, where she so enjoyed being near family, Glacier Park and the beautiful Montana scenery.

Most of all in life, Winnie loved her family, Dixieland jazz, Montana, and laughing.

Mother of Jeannine Dolson and Ladeine Thompson, Winnie was a dearly loved grandma to her six grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

She will be missed by her grandchildren, Steve and Sharon Thompson, Mike and Julie Thompson, Gina and Thomas Sulzbacher, Lori and Andre Risse, David and Sandra Dolson, and Julie and Jack Epsteen; her 18 great-grandchildren, Steven, Sara, Stacia, Shannon, Samantha, Scott, Melanie, Ryan, Anna, Stephan, Max, Alex, Nicholas, Sophia, Andrew, Dean, David and Levon; and her two sons-in-law, Ray Thompson of Kalispell and David Dolson of Valencia, Calif.

Funeral services for Winnie will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 3, in the Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Pastor Chris Miller officiating. Burial will be afterward at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Buffalo Hill Terrace, 40 Claremont St., Kalispell, MT 59901, or to Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Way, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Winnie's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Winnie's guest book.