Virgie Lorraine King Knoll, 76

Virgie Lorraine King Knoll, 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 17, 2010. She slipped peacefully away at the home of her daughter in Columbia Falls, surrounded by her devoted family, after a long and brave battle with leukemia. Virgie was born on Jan.10, 1934, in Pikeville, Ky., to Aaron and Allean (Meade) King. As a young girl her family moved to Western Washington where on June 21, 1948, she married her beloved husband, James Michael Knoll. They would spend the next 58 years together. He preceded her in death on March 18, 2007. Virgie is survived by five sons and five daughters who loved and adored her. They are her son, Michael and wife, Gail of Whitefish; daughter, Inis Baker and husband, Tom of Lafayette, Tenn.; son, Lawrence and wife, Dana of Centralia, Wash.; son, Pastor Tim and wife, Kay of Great Falls; daughter, Joan Pedersen and husband, Wayne of Lewistown; son, Christopher and wife, Clariece of Centralia; daughter, Mary Husted and husband, Paul of Columbia Falls; son, Nathan and wife, Brenda of Marion; daughter, Mamie Goodwin and husband, Dennis of Columbia Falls; and daughter, Judy Roose of Whitefish. She was the proud grandmother of 33 grandchildren and 58 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her two brothers, Gene King of Onalaska, Wash., and Aaron King of Yreka, Calif.; and one sister, Iris Hanson of Winlock, Wash.; along with numerous nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved. Virgie was preceded in death by her husband; parents; 11 brothers and sisters; and two grandsons, Caleb Husted and Matthew Goodwin. Virgie loved her chickens, wild birds and flower gardening. She loved being outside and would go for walks until her health began to fail. She had the gift of hospitality. Her open-handed generosity was witnessed by all who knew her, from feeding hoboes in the 60 s to helping a needy neighbor. Virgie was known to say, I ll never have so little that I can t share. Besides, you never know but that you are entertaining angels unaware. Virgie enjoyed berry picking and all-day excursions with her sisters and large family gatherings, from jam sessions to birthdays and Sunday dinners with whoever just happened to show up after church. She baked cookies by the bags-full for her children, young and old. She loved to surprise her sons with a freshly baked pie, just because she loved them. Her goodies were legendary. She taught her children through example the importance of God, country and family. We will cherish her and hold her in our hearts forever because we know our mother is waiting for us in heaven. Virgie s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery with graveside services, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Community Church, with Pastor Mark Foreman of the Whitefish Community Church of God. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Virgie s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Virgie s tribute wall to offer condolences and share memories.