Carole Callas, 82

Our wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Carole Callas, passed away peacefully Monday, July 25, 2016, at Aspen Meadows in Billings with her family at her side. She was 82 years young.

Carole was born in Missoula, the youngest of four children. Since she was the baby of the family; she was always protected by her older sister and brothers.

Carole graduated from Missoula County High School in 1952 and worked at Smith Drug while attending the greatest university, the University of Montana (Grizzlies), after high school. While attending college, she met the love of her life on a blind date, William “Bill” Callas. They soon became an item and were married in June of 1957.

They moved to Havre in 1961, where Bill taught math at Havre High School and Carole worked in the meat department for Buttrey’s and IGA for over 30 years. She and Bill moved to Kalispell in 1993 to enjoy their retirement years living at Village Greens. After Bill’s unexpected death in 1996, Carole’s strength came from her daughters, Casey and Joni, and all of her grandchildren. She loved being with family, spending holidays and many vacations together. She never missed any of her grandchildren’s birthdays and enjoyed attending as many of their sporting events as possible. She was the greatest grandma, or “grams,” ever! In 2013, Carole moved to Billings to be closer to family.

Carole had a kind heart and a quick smile and was loved by many.

“Mom, you will be missed enormously, but we know you are in heaven with Dad and will always be near in our hearts.”

Carole is survived by her daughters, Casey (Dave) Broughton of Great Falls, and Joni (Rick) Cabrera of Billings; a sister-in-law Kathleen Hauck in Missoula; grandchildren, Devin (Elisha) Erickson, Justin and Janell Cabrera; and great-grandchild, Jaxin. She had many nieces, nephews and extended family members and also had many close friends in Kalispell and Havre.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Hauck; oldest sister, Ruth Stein Gibford; and brothers, Bob and Phil Hauck.

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation and thanks to the staff at Sweetwater Retirement Community and Aspen Meadows. Carole loved the staff at both places.

A funeral Mass will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Risen Christ Catholic Church in Kalispell. A reception will follow after the service at the Village Greens Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials or donations may be made to one’s charity of choice.