IrmaBelle Smithers, 89

IrmaBelle Smithers, 89, passed away Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at the Mountain View Manor in Eureka. She was born on Jan. 17, 1921, in Trego, to Erma Bud and Orfifia (Fine) Ingram. As an infant, Irma moved from Trego to Valier. In 1926 she moved to Eureka, and then back to Trego in 1928 where she finished school. After school she moved to Kalispell. Irma met and married George Mueller. They had one son, John. She and George were later divorced. Irma met Carl Smithers Jr., and they where married and moved to Riggins, Idaho, where Carl was a packer for the Forest Service; then to Bremerton, Wash., where Carl took up his apprenticeship in pipefitting and again to Kalispell, where Carl worked at Renford Company; and on the Libby Dam until his retirement. Irma was happy wherever Carl's work took him. She enjoyed working in the home and doing the gardening. She also enjoyed playing music on her accordion. Many times when you walked up her sidewalk to the house you could hear her playing. She was well known for her music at dances around the valley. The last few years she hasn't played much due to her health. She enjoyed sewing and making clothing. Many a Christmas you could expect a shirt or blouse that was made by her loving hands. She loved the outdoors; she enjoyed going out and picking huckleberries, June berries and wild berries of any kind. Her preserves were well known to most of the family and her grandson, Freddie, will miss his grandmother's pickle house. She enjoyed hunting and fishing with the guys. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Montana Accordion Association. Irma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Carl; and nine brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son, John Mueller, and wife, Audrey, of Kalispell; one grandson, Fred Mueller; and one great-granddaughter, Melissa Lime; one brother, Ray Ingram, and wife, Doris; one sister-in-law, Ester Ingram; with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial services for Irma will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Salvation Army Chapel, 110 Bountiful Lane, Kalispell (up by the hospital), with Maj. Steve Sveneson officiating. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Irma's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Irma's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.