Joyce Greenwalt O'Neil, 87

With the kind care of loving family and hospice, Joyce Greenwalt O’Neil, 87, died at her home in Columbia Falls on May 1, 2012.

She was born May 28, 1924, in Kalispell to David Ory and Bernice (Sibley) Greenwalt. She had an older brother, Robert, and a sister, Jean. They all grew up in the village of Apgar at the foot of Lake McDonald in Glacier Park where her parents had a cabin camp, a service station and a dance hall, as well as their home.

Joyce attended the Apgar School for five years until her parents moved to Kalispell for the winters. She was always very sentimental about her time in Apgar where she and her sister had great fun together, even taking pride in being the first to swim in the lake as early as April when the ice went out. She loved the outdoors and watching birds and animals.

Joyce graduated from Flathead County High School in 1942. Soon thereafter, the family, including the family dog, moved to Seattle where Mr. Greenwalt worked as a machinist. Joyce worked part time at the Naval Supply Depot and attended the University of Washington, graduating in 1946 Phi Betta Kappa.

At the end of World War II the family returned to Apgar, much to the dog’s delight as he ran circles and rolled on the ground.

Joyce taught at the West Glacier School until she married Dick Rowland. They had two children, Anne Elizabeth and Robert Richard. Dick, an aviator, was subsequently killed in a crop dusting accident.

For a time, Joyce worked for Kelly Furniture, and then taught English at Flathead County High School.

She and Carle F. O’Neil were married in 1962 and lived in Eldora, Iowa, until 1973, when they returned to their beloved Montana to live in Columbia Falls, where Carle bought the Columbia Falls Lumber Co., which in time became one of the Western Building Centers.

Preceding Joyce in death were her sister and brother; her son, Robert; her grandson, Cale Brown; and her son-in-law, Tom Brown.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Elizabeth Brown; her husband, Carle O’Neil; brother-in-law, Van Harrington, of Deer Lodge; and several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls. Burial will be at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.

You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Joyce’s tribute wall.