Josephine Dolly Rose Barry Siderius, 91

Josephine Dolly Rose Barry Siderius, 91, of Kalispell passed away Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at Brendan House in Kalispell. An Indian midwife assisted with her birth on Jan. 29, 1918, near Lone Pine. She was the youngest of five children born to Delphine and Adloir Barry. At the age of one year, Dolly moved to South Dakota. She attended elementary schools in South Dakota as well as Iowa and at the age of 13 she returned to Montana, settling in Kalispell. She attended Flathead County High School. She and her future husband, Henry Hank Siderius, met at a country dance and were later married Aug. 8, 1936. They lived on the family farm south of Kalispell. Her faith journey started in the Catholic church and Catholic school in South Dakota. Later she became a member of the Kalispell Presbyterian Church. She was active in many community organizations. They included the Mountain View Birthday Club, Bethel Ladies Aid, Flathead County Democratic Women, Eagles Auxiliary, Montana Farmers Union, RSVP (delivering meals), and the Kalispell Senior Citizens. Special accomplishments were attending the Whitehouse Conference on Aging in 1981 and receiving the Montana State Democratic Woman of the Year in 1987. She and her husband were parents to four children. During the growing-up years of the children, Dolly helped as 4-H leader, Farmer s Union youth leader, and was always available to help at Demersville School on special projects. Dolly was a faithful farmer s wife, cooking for haying crews and canning, and harvesting garden produce, two of many things she did so well. She was a dear auntie to many nieces and nephews who loved to come to her house on the farm. When Hank retired from farming and meat cutting, they enjoyed several winters in Arizona, later by herself with friends. She traveled with family and friends on cruises, overseas and around the United States. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers; one sister; and Hank, her husband of 53 and a half years. Her family and friends will miss her; they will, however, hold special memories. Dolly, a kind person with a giving heart, touched the lives of many. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Patricia Sanders and husband, Horace, of Kalispell, Ray Siderius of Portland, JoLynn Yenne and husband, Gerald, of Bigfork, and Linda Siderius and husband, Robin Wilkerson, of Denver; 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Burial will be at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A memorial celebration of her life will be held at noon Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Kalispell First Presbyterian Church. Memorials can be made to the Kalispell First Presbyterian Church, 540 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; Flathead County Democratic Women, P.O. Box 2376, Kalispell, MT 59903; Rails to Trails of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 1103, Kalispell, MT 59903; or Intermountain Children s Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Dolly s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Dolly s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.