Eva Bair, 98

Funeral services for Eva Bair will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday at St. Matthew’s Catholic Parish.

Eva died on Sunday, June 5, 2016, in Missoula. Eva was 98 years old.

Eva was born in Sunburst on Sept. 8, 1917. She graduated from St. Matthew’s High School in Kalispell, valedictorian of her class in 1935.

Eva married Lawrence Bair, and had four children, Laurie (Paul), Jeanne (Robert), Michael and Patrice (Dave). She retired from the Forest Service at the age of 62 and retired to Kalispell. She then entered the era of hiking in Glacier National Park and surrounding areas with a senior citizen program. Eva thought that she hiked every trail available in Glacier Park, and was a member of the 100 Miles Club for 20-plus years, logging above the required 100 miles of hiking with them for each year designated. Eva retired from hiking when she was 90.

When Eva was not hiking, she volunteered at Kalispell Regional Hospital, the food bank, her beloved parish of St. Matthew’s and Brendan House. She moved to Missoula in 2010 to be near her daughter, Jeanne.

Eva is survived by her children and their spouses; eight grandchildren, Christie (Mike), Jessica, Ellen, John (Alix), Nicolas (Megan), Lydia (Jeff), Rebecca and Seth; and four great-grandchildren.

Following the funeral at St. Matthew’s on Thursday, June 9, she will be buried at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Matthew’s Parish, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901.