Laura 'Jo' Measure, 97
Laura "Jo" Measure, 97, died peacefully Wednesday evening Jan. 28, 2009, in the company of family at her residence in Kalispell. Laura Jo Forhan was born the second child of (Great Northern) conductor William S. Forhan and the former telegrapher Hermine (Merker) Forhan in Whitefish on Feb. 9, 1911.
Within a few years the family moved to Paola Creek (this side of Essex), where the family ran the Mercantile while William was on the railroad. In those days, the highway (a dirt road) ended just past Columbia Falls, but Laura Jo often would venture up the tracks and down to the mouth of Park Creek (about four miles' for the "best" fishing. This was the beginning of a lifetime love of wild country.
The family moved to Fourth Avenue West in Kalispell, where Laura Jo attended the nearby primary and high schools. After graduation, she hiked into the present day Bob Marshall Wilderness with her favorite teacher, Grace Baldwin, and three friends and spent two months exploring the backcountry.
She received her bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Montana in 1933 and pursued graduate studies in biology at the university and at the Marine Biological Research Station in Wood's Hole, Mass.
The Depression and family finances brought her back to Montana, where she worked for the Department of Public Welfare as a social worker, one year in Anaconda and five years in Kalispell.
In 1940, she married Ambrose Measure, a local attorney. Both had played in the Flathead High Orchestra. Ambrose died in 2000.
Laura Jo is survived by their four children, Loraine Measure of Bigfork, Dr. Edward Measure and his wife, Rorie, of Los Cruces, N.M., Susanne M. O'Connor of Kalispell, and Bruce Measure of Kalispell; eight grandchildren, Daren Bundrock, Steven Bundrock, Lori Bundrock, Scott O'Connor, Erin O'Connor, Buck Measure, Alex Measure and Eric Measure; five great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter; her sister, Margaret "Peg" Smith, of Kalispell; and her brother, Rudy Forhan, of Tucson, Ariz.; she also is survived by her very dear friend, Jeanette James, of Kalispell.
She maintained a lifelong love of learning, hiking, art, literature and crafts of all kinds. She was an accomplished seamstress, gardener and chef, and loved her cabin at Little Bitterroot Lake.
A gifted writer and storyteller, Laura Jo published a craft book and short stories, many after age 75.
"She deeply loved her friends and family and delighted in God's beautiful world and its people."
Laura Jo was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Midge and Sally Forhan, Florence Tetler, and Nelle Hartley; and two brothers, Ed and Buzz Forhan.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Risen Christ Catholic Church, 65 W. Evergreen Drive, in Kalispell, with Father Rudolph Bullman as celebrant. Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. today, Feb. 1, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Burial will be after services at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials to the Glacier Natural History Society or Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Laura Jo's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence and sign Laura Jo's guestbook.