Amy Alice Rody, 78
Amy Alice Rody, a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully in Bozeman early in the morning on June 10, 2009. Amy was born to Marie and Bert Wilkes in Libby on Aug. 5, 1930. She was one of eight children, five brothers and two sisters.
She met John Kermit Rody in December of 1950 and they married in January of 1951. As a couple they moved to a farm in the Bitterroot Valley and started their family of four children. In 1962 they sold the family farm in the Bitterroot and moved to the Flathead Valley.
They bought the Coast to Coast hardware store in Polson and became very successful business owners. In 1969 they sold the store in Polson and bought the Coast to Coast hardware store in Ronan. They ran the hardware store as a family business until 1975 when they retired.
After retirement Amy got to do one of the things she loved the most in life, which was traveling. Amy traveled all around the states with her husband, Kermit. They once went down the Pacific Coast and then all the way up the East Coast on a road trip that lasted two months. She also took many special trips with other family and friends such as Kermit's sister, Margaret.
She lived in Ronan until 1995 when she moved to Bozeman. Her grandchildren have many wonderful memories with her, as she was able to attend numerous school functions, birthday parties and spend quality time together.One favorite memory of many of her grandchildren was spending birthdays with their grandmother. Grandma Amy was so generous and loved to surprise her grandchildren with a bag full of goodies for their birthday present.Within this bag of goodies Grandma Amy would hide money! The dollar bills would be hidden in various spots and it always kept the grandkids guessing. They all had so much fun looking for the money. She was so creative and was known to bake money into cakes, roll dollar bills tightly into pens and hide bills in rolls of toilet paper!
Amy had many friends at the Bozeman Senior Center. She loved traveling with her friends from the senior center and took many gambling trips to Nevada. She treasured these trips and looked forward to them every year.
She was recently recognized for her dedicated work as a volunteer with Retired Senior Volunteer Program. With R.S.V.P. she spent many hours at the rest area on the North 19th exit greeting travelers. She also volunteered at the front desk of the senior center and knew everyone well. Everyone truly loved Amy.
Wherever she lived and whatever she did, Amy met many friends whom she remained close to throughout her life. She touched the lives of so many people.
She is survived by her children, John and Jean Rody of Ronan, Diane and Jim Cashell of Bozeman, Kathy and Doug Hanson of Bozeman, and Becky and Gerard Poore of Helena. She is also survived by her 10 loving grandchildren, Sean and Brenda Cashell, Matt and Heather Cashell, Kelly Cashell and Kevin Greiner, Amy, Katie and Melissa Hanson, Kelsey and Kyle Poore, and Justin and Jenna Rody. She also has three great-grandchildren, James and Emma Cashell, and Sarah Cashell.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit.
A memorial service for Amy will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. She will be buried lakeside next to her husband in Lakeview Cemetery in Polson.
Memorials can be sent to Bozeman Senior Center, 807 N. Tracy Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home of Polson is assisting the family.