Alice Marie Hankinson, 87

Alice Marie Hankinson, 87, “went to be with the Lord” on March 17, 2015, in Kalispell.

She was born on June 28, 1927, to Charles and Ida C. Exley, in Osceola, Iowa.

Alice moved to Billings with her mother in 1944, working for Western Union. She worked as a relief operator and came to Kalispell where she met and married Ernest E. Hankinson, in 1950. They were married 57 years. Three children were born to them, Karen, Edwin and Lonnie.

Alice was a homemaker, active in church, school and Grange. She and Ernie traveled and camped for 30 years with their friends known as the “Shaky Eight.” 

Alice was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband Ernie, and her son-in-law Frank Tobel.

She is survived by her children, Karen Tobel of Helena, Ed and Jolen Hankinson, and Lonnie and Julie Hankinson, all of Kalispell; grandchildren, Scott and Charlene Tobel of Juneau, Alaska, Brad Tobel of Helena, April and Mike Stanisich of Liberty Lake, Washington, Will and Elisha Hankinson of Kalispell, Rial and Shardae Hankinson of Havre, and Tucker Hankinson and fiancee Katie Macken of Kalispell; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with graveside rites following at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Donations can be made to Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, 1401 Church Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901; or West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, 2412 Farm to Market Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.