Sue Ann Burnside Nesten, 71

Sue Ann Burnside Nesten, 71, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She was born on June 1, 1939, to Glen R. and Mable M. (Murphy) Burnside. Sue Ann was born breech and thought to be stillborn; if not for the attending nurse, the first angel who gave her life, a true spitfire would have never been born. Sue was the fifth of seven children and the runt of the litter, as her brother Ray would fondly refer to her. As a young child, the Burnside-Heil families moved to Montana from Walkerton. The Burnsides lived in Olney and Trego, finally settling in Kalispell on Railroad Street. Sue married the love of her life, Gordon G. Nesten, on Dec. 13, 1958. Gordon and Sue lived in numerous locations in eastern Montana during the early years of their marriage while Gordon completed his apprenticeship to become an electrician. Their daughter, Hope, was born in Culbertson; sons, Billy and Bobby, in Glasgow. After moving back to Kalispell in 1963, Sue and Gordon would be blessed with another son, Rob Ray. Sue and Gordon, with the help of family and friends, built their home in Evergreen and raised their family there. Their home became the central hub, where family and friends would gather for the holidays and family gatherings. While Gordon was on the road making money for his honey, Sue was the boss at home. Along with raising kids, she found the time to raise a garden large enough to feed a small village. She also enjoyed raising cows, pigs, chickens and horses. She was little but mighty, moving irrigation pipe and bucking bales. She loved her children, and adored her grandchildren. She was known as Nannie, Nan, or Gram to them. She was present to welcome each of them into this world. They were her pride and joy; Travis, Justin, Calen, Kelsey and Shannon. Sue, Gordon and sons, along with many family and friends, spent many enjoyable hunting seasons in eastern Montana where many fond memories were made. Sue Ann was preceded in death by, and has been reunited with, her infant son, Bobby James (1960); her parents, Glen (1958) and Mable (1983); sister, Faye Mee (1990); brother, Rex (1968); Jere Jake (2000); and great-nephew, Christopher Schmalz (2006). Those she leaves behind are her loving husband of 51 years, Gordon; daughter, Hope, and her children, Travis, Justin and Shannon, and her husband Jack, all of Kalispell; her sons, Billy and wife, Kim, of Columbia Falls, Rob and wife, Kelly, and their children, Calen and Kelsey, all of Meridian, Idaho; sisters, Gay Rose of Bend, Ore., and Hazel Stefanatz of Kalispell; brothers, Ray Burnside and wife, Marie, of Thompson Falls, Bill Collier and wife, Cherris, of Post Falls, Idaho; an aunt, Jean Burnside of Kalispell; sister-in-law, Nita Wiggins of Spokane; brother-in-law, Frank Harbin of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews, too many to list, whom she loved dearly. Six of her nieces and a granddaughter were named for her. Because of the blessed hands of her second nurse angel and cousin, Rexanne, and many others, they gave us the precious gift of five more days for which we will be forever grateful. Sue s family would like to thank all the nurses and doctors who cared for mom over the years. Sue and Gordon are longtime members of the Kalispell Moose Lodge. Funeral services for Sue will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating. Burial will follow services at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Sue s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Sue s guest book.