Velva Elgin Bruyer, 93

Velva Elgin Bruyer, 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at her home in Kalispell. Velva was born on March 25, 1916, in a sod cabin on the banks of the Little Powder River in the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in Rosebud County, near the town of Ashland. As a young child in school, she lived in Denver. When she was in the eighth grade, the family moved to Miles City. Velva graduated with honors' from high school in 1932. She received a National Honor Society pin her senior year, at the age of 16.

After graduation, Velva worked for the government in Miles City, where the cattle were shipped out by rail.

Velva married Russell Elgin on Nov. 24, 1934, in Miles City. They moved to Fort Peck to work on the dam.Her children, Don, Carole and Jim, were born inFort Peck. They left Fort Peck and moved to the Flathead Valley where they settled. Daughter Linda was born in Kalispell.

Velvawent to work as a secretary at the I.B.E.W. and was a member of their union for 50-plus years. She then became a legal secretary for several attorneys, until she retired in 1974.

Russell passed away on July 5, 1968; they had been married for 34 years.

Velva married George Bruyer in 1973 in Coeurd'Alene, Idaho. Velva and George were raising his six children, when he passed away on Aug. 13, 1976. She continued raising Richard and Leola and adopted them in 1980. During World War II,Kalispell thought planes could come into the U.S. under the radar from the North, so they built a tower on Buffalo Hill that was manned by volunteers. Velva and her sister Beverly had the midnight to 2 a.m. shift once a week. After the war, they both were awarded silver wings for doing their part in the war.

Velva'received a Presidential Party name tag when President Harry Truman dedicated the Hungry Horse Dam in 1948.

Velva was an accomplished artist, poet, writer and seamstress. She was one of the first Hospice volunteers in the valley. In later years shebelonged to Bible study groups and formed many friendships which have lasted until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both her husbands, Russell Elgin and George Bruyer; a sister, Beverly Triplett; son, Donald Elgin; grandson, Steven Hummel; and stepson, Phillip Bruyer.

Velva is survived by her daughter, Carole Custer; son, James Elgin; daughter, Linda Hummel; son, Richard Bruyer; daughter, Leola Graf; stepchildren, George, Claira and Tom; daughter-in-law, Roberta Elgin; sister, Audrey Kiser; brother, James Daly; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, July 27, at Risen Christ Parish, with Rev. Rudy Bullman officiating. Burial will follow the service at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

You are cordially invited to go to www.buffalohillfh.com to sign the guest book or leave the family a message. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.