Hazel Marie (Ransch) Montgomery, 87

Hazel Marie (Ransch) Montgomery, 87, passed away on Dec. 9, 2010, at Grace House with her son and family in Austin, Texas.

Hazel Montgomery was born in 1923 in Webb City, Okla., to Edward and Lena Ransch.

After graduating from high school and college in Oklahoma, she moved to San Francisco to assist with the shipbuilding efforts for the war. This is where Hazel met and married her husband of 63 years, Joe Montgomery, who preceded her in death. After the end of the war, Hazel and her husband settled in Kalispell and started a construction company, Montana Builders. She assisted Joe with the finances and office management for 35 years, before they both retired.

Throughout her life, Hazel was involved with many social and charitable organizations. She was a member of the Women’s Circle at Epworth United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi, and supported her husband with the many Elks functions through the women’s group.            

Hazel spent many days bowling, golfing and playing cards, and became a Grand Master bridge player. Socially, she loved hosting parties both large and small. With all of these activities and accomplishments, Hazel’s greatest love was her family. She took every opportunity to have them visit so she could entertain and share some of her homemade huckleberry and apple pies.

Hazel is survived by her son, Gary Montgomery, his wife Deborah, and granddaughter, Jessica Montgomery of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law, Melba Montgomery, of Helena; nieces, Marsha McCall of Denver, and Pat Gonzales of Tucson, Ariz.; nephews, Bud Howard and David Howard, of Louisiana, Fred Howard of Missouri; and great-nephew, Blain Wenger, of Dillon.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Kalispell.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Diabetes Association; and condolences to the Johnson-Gloschat Mortuary, 525 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Hazel’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Hazel’s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.