Lucille Irene 'Pee Wee' Graham, 74

Lucille Irene "Pee Wee" Graham, 74, passed away May 7, 2009, at Immanuel Lutheran Home surrounded by her family. Pee Wee was born on Aug. 3, 1934, to Arthur and Inez (Oaks' Burnell in Kalispell.

She attended Kalispell schools. She and Keith met at the LaSalle Grange where they loved to dance and where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001.

Pee Wee's role as majorette at Flathead High School led to teaching baton and tumbling at the Evergreen School where she also worked as a cook. In addition to raising six children and usually feeding a houseful of cousins and neighborhood kids, she and Keith also ran the Motel Western which they purchased from her parents, Arthur and Inez Burnell.

Pee Wee loved family and the outdoors. Whether it was skiing and hiking with her friend and brother, Harry, teaching her grandchildren where to find the best huckleberry patch, or watching the birds at Lake Blaine, she was happiest outdoors. Some of Pee Wee's other loves were Glacier Park, traveling in the motorhome, reading non-fiction, Sunday drives around the valley with Keith, and family gatherings. You could find her ice skating on Lake Blaine, playing pinochle with friends, baking the best pies, and having grandchildren for sleepovers.

Pee Wee and Keith moved from the motel to Lake Blaine in 1976, and the lake became the gathering place for holidays and special times. Pee Wee lived her final four years at the Lutheran Home where she formed close relationships with staff and residents. She was a generous friend, an independent spirit, and the strong matriarch of a loving family. She built a legacy of love that will carry forward for generations to come. "We'll miss you, Pee Wee!"

She is survived by Keith D. Graham, her husband of 58 years; sons, David Graham of Kalispell, and Steve and Barb Graham of Warden, Wash.; and daughters, Maureena Watkins of Kalispell, Nora and Charlie Thorne of Kalispell, Marcie and Louis Krutsch of Kaysville, Utah, and Margie and Richard Strack of Tooele, Utah. One of her greatest joys was her 24 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Pee Wee is also survived by her brother, Harry Burnell, of San Francisco.

Memorial services for Pee Wee will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 11, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral chapel.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Pee Wee's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Pee Wee's guestbook.