Lena Johanna Weimar, 93
Lena Johanna Weimar, 93, passed away Tuesday, May 27, 2008, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born May 2, 1915, in Riceton, Saskatchewan, to Otto B. and Minnie S. (Bohlken) Otten.
Lena was the oldest of 12 children, with three sisters and eight brothers. Her grandparents came from Germany, and German was Lena's first language. She attended a German-speaking country school until age 12. At that time the family moved to Outlook, where Lena and her siblings continued in school. Lena recalls helping with household chores as a child and playing with a neighborhood of relatives.
She married Richard Wunderlich on June 3, 1933. They met through Richard's sister, who was a good friend of Lena's. The couple lived in Outlook, where Richard worked as a mechanic and Lena cleaned houses. They had five children. After Richard died in 1954, Lena married Frank Weimar, a farmer from Kalispell whom she met at a card party. The marriage ended in divorce after 25 years.
She was a very active member of East Haven Baptist Church, where she made suppers for the prayer meetings and volunteered in the nursery. She also cooked in the Kalispell public schools for 25 years and is known for her cinnamon rolls and buns.
Lena liked football and baseball, and remembers going to California to see a Dodgers game. She also enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, watching television and cooking. Lena enjoyed being a mother best of all, and her children have been the joy of her life.
Her family includes two sons, Richard Wunderlich and wife, Monte, of Ronan, and Roy Wunderlich and wife, Sandy, of Helena; three daughters, Dorothy Hartsoch of Kalispell, Shirley Soltis and husband, John, of Washington, Pa., and Connie "C.J." Johnston of Kalispell; two sisters, Helen and Laura; and two brothers, Clifford and Clarence Otten; also 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Lena was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers; and one sister.
Funeral services for Lena will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31, in the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral chapel, with Pastor Daniel Lambert of Easthaven Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be afterward in the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be afterward at Dorothy Hartsoch's home, 155 Broeder Loop, just past Gatiss Gardens on Montana 35 in Creston.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Lena's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Lena's guest book.