Christine 'Tena' Rose Baggett, 67

Christine "Tena" Rose Baggett, 67, passed away Nov. 11, 2008, in Spokane. She was born April 6, 1941, to Chris and Ruth Nelson and grew up in the Flathead Valley in Montana, south of Kalispell. Tena was the eldest of five girls. She was always proud to call herself a Montana girl.

She married Lawrence Brunner in 1957, and they had three children. They divorced in 1970. Tena then moved to Walla Walla, Wash., where she remarried and had two more children. That marriage ended a few years later. She eventually moved back to Spokane to be near her parents and other family members. She met William "Bill" Baggett, and they were married in 1991 and he was the love of her life. He passed away in 2003.

She came from a musical family and was a very talented musician, especially known for her yodeling. Music was the highlight of her life, and she was happiest when she was playing and singing those old country tunes or jamming with family and dear friends. Tena started out playing around Columbia Falls and Kalispell, then moved to Washington and continued playing there for many years. She loved adventure and traveled around for a period of time, playing many little towns all across the West. In more recent years she lived in Spokane and was a member of the Cotton Jenneys and was also a member of the VFW and Old Time Fiddlers. She was a very caring person and a gracious lady and will be missed by many.

Tena is survived by her sons, Lawrence Brunner of Spokane, Shawn and Lynn Moller of Lake Stevens, Wash., and Peter and Amy Moller of Dayton, Ohio; daughter, Roseanne and Lee Selders, of Columbia Falls; sisters, Marie and Dennis Hamil of Enid, Okla., Cheri and Chris Bailey of Spokane, and Dawn and Mel Freeman of Malden, Wash.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William; her parents; infant son, Joseph "Joey" Dean Brunner; and her sister, Linda Tredor.

Inurnment was held at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane. No formal services were held.

Arrangements were entrusted to Hennessey Smith Funeral Home in Spokane.