Irene Agnes Corbett, 102

Irene Agnes Corbett, 102, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at Brendan House.

She was born on Sept. 14, 1909, to Alfred and Mary Belle (Knapton) Diseth in Tacoma, Wash. She spent her childhood and young adult life in Tacoma, graduating with a teaching certificate from Pacific Lutheran University in 1929. She was a member of the Pacific Lutheran University Alumni Association and she attended her 50-year class reunion in 1979.

She started her teaching career at the age of 19, forty miles south of Galata. She was the only teacher for all classes in the single classroom Pondera School, on the Bootlegger Trail between Shelby and Conrad. After two years, she moved to Coram where she taught, and met Charles "Compton" or "Red" Corbett, her future husband. They were married Aug. 25, 1932, in Kalispell. She continued teaching in Coram until 1934, when she devoted her time to raising her family. She returned to teaching in 1961, following her husband's death. She continued teaching in Coram, while furthering her education by attending summer classes at Northern Montana College in Havre, receiving her bachelor's degree in 1966. She retired from teaching in 1973.

Irene's greatest joy was her family. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a lifelong member and very active in the Canyon Community Church, where she served as the treasurer for 25 years. She was also a longtime church pianist and Ladies Aid member.

She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, hand embroidery, gardening and quilting. She was awarded the first Lifetime Honorary member of the Teakettle Quilters Guild of Columbia Falls when she moved to Brendan House and could no longer be an active member.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Compton; infant son, Charles; son, Gerald "Jerry"; brothers, Lorenzo and Ern Diseth; and special aunt, Elizabeth.

Irene is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Kirkpatrick, and husband, Fred, of Kalispell; son, Jim Corbett, and wife, Deanne, of Polson; son, Jack Corbett, and wife, Lori, of Columbia Falls; daughter-in-law, Joyce Corbett, of Kalispell; sister, Florence "Bobbye" Rogers, of Mountain Home, Idaho; grandchildren, Carla Young and Jim of Great Falls, Janis Dietrich and Dave of Billings, Connie Stickler and Greg of Fort Wayne, Ind., Mike Corbett and Linda of Miles City, Pam Malyurek and Tim of Bozeman, Jennifer Darr and Jeff of Belgrade, Shawn Corbett and Britnie of Longmont, Colo., and Scott Corbett and Kristy of Kalispell; great-grandchildren, Jamiee (Young) Turley and Cole of Bozeman, Nathan Young of Bozeman, Rachel Dietrich, a student at University of Montana, Natalie Dietrich of Billings, Matthew and Ryan Stickler of Fort Wayne, Logen and Kaylee Darr of Belgrade, Blake, Jaxon and Addyson Corbett, of Longmont, and Easton Corbett of Kalispell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brendan House for the excellent care of Irene over the past several years.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home with Pastor Ken Ainsworth of Canyon Community Church officiating. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. The celebration of Irene's life will continue with a reception at Village Greens Community Center, located at 195 W. Nicklaus Ave., Kalispell.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Irene's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Irene's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.