Marla Marie Handford, 51

Marla Marie Handford, 51, “peacefully stepped over to heaven” on Oct. 15, 2013, in Kalispell.  

Marla was born in Libby on Sept. 22, 1962. She attended Plummer Grade School until her family moved to Kalispell during her fourth grade year. In Kalispell, she graduated from Flathead High School with the class of 1980.  

Marla held various jobs in the Flathead Valley, her favorite being a bartender. She was quick-witted, could tell a great joke and had a brilliant smile. Marla always made friends wherever she worked or lived.  She was an avid animal lover, especially of her cats.  

Her two sons, Chance and Levi, were her world. She loved them deeply. In Marla’s last few years she fought diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis but she was a trooper and hung on to her great sense of humor through it all. 

Marla was preceded in death by her mother, Sharon Burton.  

Marla is survived by her sons, Chance Handford, and Levi Handford and his girlfriend, Alana, and their son, Cayo; sister, Barbara Hayek and husband, Rusty, of Kalispell; brother, Dan Sagmiller and wife, Traci, of Piedmont, S.D.; stepfather, Don Burton of Kalispell; nephews, Chris Handford, Nick Handford and Austin Csikasz, and a niece, Amber Thompson, all of Kalispell. Marla is also survived by two aunts and numerous cousins.  

A memorial service for Marla will be announced at a later date.  

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family.  Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.