Merle Marie Harris, 93

Merle Marie Harris, 93, of Bigfork, passed away on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 30, at Swan Chapel in Swan Lake.

Merle was born Nov. 1, 1922, in McGregor, Colorado, to Earl and Verna Harrell. Her family moved to Kalispell when she was 6 years old. Later they moved to Bigfork where her father worked as an operator at the Bigfork powerhouse.

She met the love of her life, Fred William Harris, in 1938 while they were both working at Park Hills Boys Camp that is now Flathead Lake Lodge. Merle graduated from Bigfork High School. She and Fred married on her 18th birthday in 1940. After working at Park Hills for a couple of years, she then changed jobs to work as a phone company operator. In 1942, Merle and Fred moved to Bremerton, Washington, where Fred worked in the shipyards during World War II. After the war, they returned to Bigfork and started a family.

Merle was a wonderful homemaker and mom to her two sons, Chuck and David. The family loved to come home to the smell of her baking. She was very active in the boys’ lives. She was one of the first Cub Scout Den mothers in Bigfork. She loved teaching swimming and taking the kids on outings. Camping vacations in all of the Western states and Canada produced many good family memories.

Merle and Fred both loved music and dancing.  The boys enjoyed watching them square dance and listening to Fred often call the dances.

For several summers, Merle worked for Eva Gates Preserves. Later in her life she worked at the Flathead County voting polls for many years.

Merle was a lifetime member of the Rebecca Lodge and served as the Montana state president, which took her to every corner of the state. She was also a member of the Lady Lions and enjoyed working the concession booth at the Northwest Montana Fair.

Merle had a delightful sense of humor that produced a joyful laugh. She loved clicking her tongue to music, knitting, sewing and crocheting, doing ceramics and playing games (especially bridge and bunco).

Merle is survived by Chuck and Betty Harris of Ferndale, and David and Jean Harris of Great Falls; six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred Harris, parents Earl and Verna Harrell, two sisters and two brothers.

Since Merle loved going to the concerts at Sliter Park, the family suggests memorials to the Riverbend Concert Association, c/o Charlotte French 225 Coverdell Road, No. 126, Bigfork, MT 59911. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.