Kathryn Joan Ellman Lundstrom, 81

Kathryn Joan Ellman Lundstrom was welcomed with open arms by the Lord and the love of her life, Darvin Lundstrom on Feb. 3, 2010. She was born in Hinsdale Oct. 22, 1928; at the age of 3, she moved to Columbia Falls. Being the second to the youngest of 12 children, there was always love, laughter and family around. While working at the Park Theatre, she met Darvin Lundstrom. They married June 30, 1950. Two years later came Darvin and Kate s pride and joy, daughter Karen. Nothing brought Katie more joy then to have a big backyard barbecue. If it was family, friends and the entire neighborhood, it always made her happy to see others around her enjoying life. Many fond memories were made camping out at Swan Lake or Apgar. It did not matter where you were, as there was bound to be lots of singing and dancing. Over the years she worked for Bob and Josie Maranette at the Park Merc and the V Store, retiring in 1978. Katie was a longtime member of St. Richards Catholic Church. She was involved with the Altar Society and always willing to help others. In later years, she and Darvin were very active with the North Valley Eagles 4081 and both of them were charter members and very instrumental in getting the Eagles started in Columbia Falls. Kate is survived by her daughter, Karen Huston, and husband, Mike, of Columbia Falls; grandson, John Huston, and wife, Erin, of Helena; and granddaughters, Michelle Huston and Tom Vanek of Kalispell, and Angela Huston of Columbia Falls. She was a very special Grammie to great-grandson, Michael John Huston, of Kalispell; and is also survived by sisters, Frances and Dale Gardner of Valley Springs, Calif., and Marje and Stan Sklodo of Aberdeen, Wash.; brother, Sam and Frankie Ellman, of Columbia Falls; sisters-in-law, Margaret Ellman, Marylou Ellman and Evelyn Lundstrom of Columbia Falls, and Doris and Ross Robinson of Billings; her very close and dear friend, June Brooker; and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Darvin Lundstrom; sisters, Mary Schoenberg Bertino, Lorene Sallee and Donna Nadeau; brothers, Jack Ellman, Pat Ellman, Bud Ellman, Ray Ellman and Jim Ellman; sisters-in-law, Mary Ellman, Sara Ellman, Ada Ellman, Mary Lundstrom, Donna Lundstrom and Francis Lundstrom; and brothers-in-law, Boots Schoenberg, Louie Bertino, Hob Sallee, Vick Nadeau, EJ Lundstrom, Cliff Lundstrom, Boyde Lundstrom and Frank Lundstrom. A visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. today, Feb. 7, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8, at St. Richards Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. A reception will follow. Burial services will be at 1:30 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, make donations to WINGS, Columbia Falls Fire Department or Three Rivers Ambulance.