Grace (Tibke) Hanson, 93

Grace (Tibke) Hanson, 93, of Kalispell and Cut Bank, yielded the call by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to her eternal home, surrounded by her family, on Sept. 28, 2010, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell, of natural causes. Services are pending at this time and will be announced by the Whitted Funeral Chapel of Cut Bank. Grace was born Dec. 1, 1916, to Jacob and Sena Tibke in Blackfoot, Idaho; she was the eighth of 10 children. While Grace was 5 years old, the family relocated from Blackfoot to the family ranch in Cascade. A country girl at heart, she loved riding her horse Gypsy, 4-H, school, friends, picnics and especially family. While active in 4-H, Grace represented the state of Montana in Chicago at the National 4-H Convention. While in Chicago attending the National Convention, she was awarded National First Place in judging home furnishing, today called home interior decorating. In the summer of 1934, her family relocated to Kalispell and continued to farm and ranch. Grace often lamented about leaving Cascade just prior to her senior year. She affectionately told how the family s livestock and home furnishings were shipped via the railroad and unloaded at Rose Crossing in Helena Flats, just adjacent to the family farm. Her education was a priority and finishing high school a must; she recanted fond memories of driving the family Model A automobile to Flathead County High School to complete her senior year, graduating in 1935. Grace began working for Mrs. Schweitzer as her personal assistant, and then later relocated to Choteau to work for Dr. E. Maynard at his office and hospital. While employed with Dr. Maynard she met the love of her life, Henry Hanson. Grace Tibke and Henry Hanson were married June 30, 1939, at the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church in Conrad. From this blessed union a beloved son, Charles, was born. Together they farmed at Choteau and north of Cut Bank. In 1950, they sold the land in Choteau and farmed full time in the Cut Bank area. Her devotion to the family farm continued until her death, active in the decisions of the family farm up to the day Jesus Christ called her home. She was dedicated to the family farm; more importantly, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She is now eternally reunited with Henry, as he was suddenly taken from her in 1980, the result of a drunk driver. Grace also worked for the Glacier County Library for eight years. After her son graduated from high school, she and Henry spent 26 winters in Arizona. She was an avid traveler and ready to go at a moment s notice. She traveled to Europe, New Zealand and Australia, Central America sailing through the Panama Canal, three trips visiting the Caribbean Islands, and visited every state except Texas. Grace was a Christian woman in every sense: Lived by faith, served others, and never uttered an unkind word; a constant follower of Christ. She was a member of the Cut Bank St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bible study and worship, Faith Circle, quilting ministry, Ladies Aid Society, food bank ministry, Thrivent for Lutherans, W.E.L.O., and the Cut Bank Women s Club. Grace had a beautiful voice and loved to sing hymns and study God s word. Being a benevolent giver to countless Christian ministries, she also sponsored numerous children through Compassion International and World Vision. A cherished ministry that came full circle was to Immanuel Lutheran Home. Grace relocated three years ago to Buffalo Hill Terrace, then in April of this year to Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; parents, Jacob and Sena Tibke; brothers, Lester, Roland, Donald and Douglas; and sisters, Bernice, Margaret, Mayme and Juanita. Surviving Grace are her son, Charles; daughter-in-love, Denise; her prized grandchildren, Bailey Joseph and Christyne Danae; and her baby sister, Betty Held, all of Kalispell and Cut Bank; and several nieces and nephews.