Dora Margaret Boyd Wilke, 95

Dora Margaret Boyd Wilke “went to heaven on Angel’s wings” on July 10, 2012.

Dora was born on March 8, 1917, to George and Teresa Boyd in Madoc, Mont.

She married Carl Wilke on Nov. 12, 1938, in Dupuyer. Before she got married, she attained her teacher’s certificate at Northern Montana College and taught for three years until her first child was born. She was then a homemaker until 1962 when she attained her Bachelor of Education degree, and continued her career as an elementary teacher in various rural schools in the valley.

Dora lived a full and happy life. After retiring, she made many trips around the world with her sister, Bette. They spent 17 winters together in Florence, Ariz.

She lived the last seven years in Brendan House but that did not stop her from living a full and active life, and taking part in any and all parties, picnics, family and church activities. She remained a very integral part of her extended family, even communicating via Skype with her out-of-town family.

The family would like to express their appreciation to all the Brendan House staff for their love and care of Dora. She loved them all.

Dora was predeceased by her husband, Carl; her parents; and her siblings, Mark Boyd, Hugh Boyd, Bette Kelley and Neil Boyd.

She is survived and will be forever loved and missed by her children, Judith Sourman of Kalispell, Marilyn and Russ Mulligan of Florida, Joanne McQueen of Kalispell, Dona and Hiro Kobayashi of Kamloops, British Columbia, Leonard and Karen Wilke of Valier, and Larry and Jennifer Wilke of Columbia Falls. Dora had a large extended and close family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was also a “mother” to many of her nieces and nephews, and to many of the neighbor children.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 16, with viewing at 9 a.m., at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Evergreen. Interment will follow at St. Richard’s Cemetery in Columbia Falls, and a reception will follow at Risen Christ Church for all friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dora’s great-granddaughter, Gabby LeDuc’s Benefit Fund to help her on her long journey to a cure from leukemia.  Funds may be deposited in the Joanne McQueen, “Gabby Donation Account” at the Wells Fargo Bank.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Dora’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Dora’s guest book.