Edythe Hill, 83

Edythe Hill, 83, of Kalispell, passed away Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, peacefully at home.

Edythe was born June 28, 1927, in Newton County, Ark., to Elmer Ryker and Mabel (Dixon) Ryker.

The family moved to Montana in 1931, and Edythe attended schools in Olney and Kalispell, graduating from Flathead County High School, Class of 1945.

She married Harry A. Hill Jan. 19, 1946, and they maintained a home in Kalispell for the rest of their lives.

Edythe was a homemaker, an avid reader, and was dedicated to her family. She was known to her family as a dependable source to which any family member could look for emotional or other support in problem times.

She was an expert craft maker, and a longtime member of the I.C. Club Chapter of the Home Demonstration Club, a craft-making and social organization. Edythe was also an expert seamstress and sewed or knitted her entire life. She made professional quality clothing for generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Edythe was proud of her work toward establishment of Flathead Valley Community College, as she went door to door collecting signatures for the ballot initiative that established the school.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and sisters, Dorothy M. Chaney, Ruth S. Lovette and A. Lee Gendreau.

She is survived by her children, Terry Hill and wife Sydnee of Lolo, Linda Burton and husband Bill of Kalispell, and Douglas Hill and wife Sheila of Kalispell. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Molly Hill and Josh Burton of Kalispell, Andy Hill and Melissa Hill of Missoula, Katie Burton of Somers, Lisa Maesner of Anchorage, Kari Hill of Seattle, and Zachary Hill of San Francisco; as well as 14 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

  Memorial services for Edythe will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 Main St., Kalispell, with interment following at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

 The family suggests that charitable donations in Edythe’s name be made to United Way of Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Glacier and Sanders Counties, Christmas in April program.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Edythe’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Edythe’s tribute wall.