Ava Ruth Walters, 64

Ava Ruth Walters passed away in her home Dec. 28, 2011.

Born Sept. 11, 1947, in Billings to Howard and Bette Carpenter, Ava attended Vennard College in Iowa and Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell where she attained her Associate of Arts degree in accounting.

She married Gerald Walters on June 7, 1968, in Whitefish and settled west of Kalispell. They have two children, Kara and Casey.

Ava was a warrior. She loved God, family, friends and this country. She was full of laughter, had many dreams and was steadfast in her beliefs. If she was not leading, she was pushing from behind.

Ava was active in the Bible Presbyterian Church where she sang and helped with Vacation Bible School. She had many talents and shared them unselfishly. She was a wonderful wife, mother, friend.

Ava ran several home businesses, both as a bookkeeper and telemarketing, using her skills at selling. Ava dedicated many hours in volunteer work for Flathead Christian School where her children attended. When the school moved to its present location on Willow Glen, she became the financial officer, at first donating her time. Before her forced retirement due to a stroke, Ava was employed by Teletech, providing technical assistance via telephone.

Ava’s passion for politics and the founding principles of America started at a very young age of 16 when she started volunteering for causes she believed in. In later years, even with poor health, Ava was passionate about training and education. She achieved her dreams through steadfast action.

She became the Republican Central Committee chair and served two terms in that position. Ava achieved the ultimate reward while running Republican election headquarters in 2010 — every Flathead Valley Republican campaign was successful. During that campaign, Ava was instrumental in securing volunteer workers for mailings and door-to door literature drops. She helped found Freedom Action Rally, an organization that provides a broad scope of information, education and public awareness of the rapidly changing political scene. She initiated and donated her time to do precinct training, and facilitated a Constitution study course that continues to meet weekly.

Ava was not easy. She was uncompromising in sharing her beliefs. She had been ill and in pain for many years, working unceasingly, mentoring all in whom she believed. Ava’s dreams will echo through this community and we will remember her well.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald; children, Kara and Casey; and brother, John, and Sandra Carpenter.

Services were held on Jan. 4 at Bible Presbyterian Church.

Donations to assist the family with expenses can be made through Bible Presbyterian Church, 344 Fifth Ave. W, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to the Ava Walters Memorial Fund, held at Wells Fargo Bank.