Cora Ellen Kerestes, 86
Cora Ellen Kerestes, 86, passed away April 12, 2011.
“She is now with her Lord and Savior. She is joined again with her beloved husband, Albert.”
Cora was proud of having come from strong pioneer stock; her grandparents settled in the valley in 1904. Cora was born Oct. 14, 1924, to Floyd and Edith Payne, at her Pearson grandparents’ home outside of Columbia Falls. She had many fond memories of life as a child living in logging camps up in the mountains. She attended school in Whitefish, graduating in 1942. Days after graduation, Cora boarded a bus to Washington, D.C., where a job awaited her in the clerical pool for the Army. Later, she transferred to Newark, N.J., and when the war effort wound down, she went to work for Newark Bell. It was in New Jersey, at Dreamland Roller Rink, that she met Albert.
After an exciting courtship and several trips to Montana, Cora and Albert were married Aug. 31, 1947, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. They returned to New Jersey and worked a few years before deciding they wanted to make their home in Montana. In 1950, they moved back to Whitefish.
Cora loved people and lived life to the fullest. She loved square dancing, camping, her church and her many friends. She taught Sunday school for years and enjoyed working with youth. Cora enjoyed doing genealogy and spent years researching and recording the family's history and stories, as well as the history of the Upper Flathead Valley.
Cora was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Edith Payne; and her husband of 61 years, Albert.
Cora leaves one son, Glen and wife, Kathy Kerestes, of Billings; one granddaughter, Amy and husband, Chris Larsen, of Roundup; and twin great-granddaughters, Megan and Elizabeth Larsen of Roundup. She also leaves behind numerous cousins and the countless friends she has made everywhere she has gone.
We would like to thank everyone at The Springs at Whitefish, who Mom thought of not as caregivers and residents, but as her family. Also special thanks goes to the staffs of the North Valley Hospital and Christ Lutheran Church, and all of Mom's friends for the help and support they have provided to Cora and her family.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18, at Christ Lutheran Church. A luncheon will follow. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Klothes Kloset, 288 N. Nucleus Ave., in Columbia Falls, or to the North Valley Hospital Foundation, 1600 Hospital Way, in Whitefish.
Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences and view Cora’s tribute wall.