Loretta 'Marty' (Martin) Schwalk, 68

Loretta “Marty” (Martin) Schwalk, 68, of Columbia Falls passed away Dec. 19, 2010, from cancer.

She was born May 6, 1942, in Streeter, N.D., to Gilbert and Caroline Martin.

Loretta was raised on the family farm with her three brothers Melvin, Eugene and Kenneth. After graduating from high school in 1960, Loretta worked as a nurse’s aide in Jamestown, N.D. 

In 1961 Loretta married James Schwalk in Streeter, N.D. In 1969 they moved to Montana. Loretta would spend most of her life as a homemaker and mother, raising their three children, Rory, Ronna and Renae.  After their children were grown, she worked as an inventory clerk at Semitool. Loretta enjoyed camping, fishing, flower arranging, canning, quilting, snowbirding in Yuma and “happy hour” with family and friends.

 Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, her three brothers, and her daughter-in-law. 

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, James; their children, Rory and Janet Schwalk, Ronna Schwalk, and Renae and Jeff Iverson; and grandchildren, Alicia, Danielle, Ian, Joshua and Kayla.

There will be no service per Loretta’s wishes. A celebration of Loretta’s life will be held May 7, 2011.

 In lieu of flowers, Loretta’s wishes were that donations be made to either of the following: The Montana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604; or Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 911 W. Fifth Ave., Spokane, WA 99204.

To send a message of condolence to the family, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.