Alice June (Anderson) Ryder, 85

Alice June (Anderson) Ryder, a lifetime resident of Kalispell, passed away Jan. 9, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was 85. Alice was born Nov. 27, 1924, in Kalispell to Carl and Melanie Anderson. She attended high school at Flathead County High School in Kalispell, graduating in 1943. Alice spent her junior year at Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma, Wash., because of her father s war duties. She married Spencer Ryder in 1947 in Spokane. Alice was awarded a nursing degree from St. Luke s School of Nursing in Spokane, in 1946. She also attended classes at Gonzaga University in Spokane and the University of Montana in Missoula. She worked as a nurse in Spokane and the Student Health Center at U of M before her two daughters were born. For a short time, she worked as a substitute nurse at Kalispell Hospital before her grandchildren were born. Then she became a full-time grandma. She was a long-time owner and employee of the local movie theaters, the Anderson Theater Company, which the family sold in 2000. While she was raising her family, Alice served a term as state president of the Montana PTA, was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, and a long-time volunteer for the American Cancer Society. Alice is survived by her daughter, Randy Mohn, and son-in-law, Jim, of Lakeside; four grandchildren, Michael Johnson of Kalispell, Eric and Samantha Hines of Missoula, Tara and Mike Lee of Kalispell, and Emily and Brad Rettig of Denver; and two great-grandchildren, Lorelei Hines of Missoula, and Spencer Lee of Kalispell. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth E. Conn, of Kalispell; and nieces, Alison Matos and Andrea Baumgardner, and their husbands and children. She is also survived by her former sons-in-law, Thomas Hines of Fruita, Colo., and Dr. Stephen Johnson of Kalispell. Alice was surprised but very happy she survived long enough to see her great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Spence; and daughter, Rhonda Johnson. A remembrance will be held at the Buffalo Hills Terrace at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations could be made in her name to the charity of the donor s choice. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Alice s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Alice s guest book.