Frances Marie Preuit, 89

Frances Marie Preuit, 89, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at Lakeview Care Center in Bigfork.

Frances was born March 25, 1919, in Cheyenne, Wyo., to Frank and Anna (Bolhkin) Wilkinson. She was raised in Wyoming, where she attended schools.

Frances married Donald E. Preuit on July 25, 1940, in Kimball, Neb. Frances lived for several years in Saratoga, Wyo., where she worked as a cook for the ranch hands. She also lived in Colorado, and then moved to Montana in 1962. She and her husband, Don, worked on ranches near Gold Creek and Deer Lodge. They retired in Kalispell in 1982.

She enjoyed playing bingo, gardening, cooking and fishing.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; two sisters; four brothers; and two grandsons, Ron and Kurtiss Gabehart.

She is survived by her three daughters, Louise Wilson of Helena, Sharon Gabehart of Kiowa, Colo., and Rose Thomas of Plumas Lake, Calif.; one son, Don Preuit, of Olalla, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Urn burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.