Harriet Leda Flynn Cottet, 86

Harriet Leda Flynn Cottet, 86, passed away Thursday at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, surrounded by family. The oldest of three children, Harriet was born in Butte, June 1, 1923, to John and Leda Flynn.

After graduating from Flathead County High School, Harriet moved to San Francisco to work in the Navy shipyards during World War II. Upon returning to Kalispell, she met and married Percy Cottet, and had a son, Michael. As a family they lived and ranched in Kila, Niarada and Lonepine.

After her husband was stricken with multiple sclerosis they retired and returned to the Flathead Valley. Percy became too ill to be taken care of at home, so Harriet moved to Plains to be closer to her family, and Percy was admitted to Clark Fork Valley Hospital's nursing home until his passing in 1999.

In 2008, she moved in with her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sharon, and remained there until her passing.

She served as an officer with the Montana VFW Ladies Auxiliary for several years, worked as an X-ray tech at the Sanders County Hospital in Hot Springs, and was active in the Genealogical Society of Kalispell.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Leda and John Flynn; sister, Mary Esther; husband, Percy Cottet; and granddaughter, Michael Marie Cottet.

Harriet is survived by a sister, Thelma Keen, of Crookston, Minn.; son, Michael, and Sharon Cottet of Clinton; grandchildren, Tyson Cottet of Charlo, Chad and Shelly Cottet of Polson, and Tyler and Billie Dumont of Moiese; and great-grandchild, Sammie Jo Marie Dumont, of Moiese.

No services will be held at this time; a family gathering is planned for later.