Vera Stewart, 94

Vera Stewart passed away on April 17, 2017, of natural causes.

Vera was the youngest of five children born to Anna and George Van Ostrand in Wisconsin on March 2, 1923.

The family relocated to a Lolo Creek ranch where she attended the historic Woodman School and later Missoula County High School in Missoula. Ranching, riding horses, hunting and fishing with family and friends created lifelong interests and memories.

Vera and her sister Lola ventured to Seattle during World War II in search of employment. She not only secured a job at Boeing but also met her future husband, Bruce I. Stewart, a fellow Montanan. They were married in 1943. Daughter Karalee and son Don were born in Seattle and the family decided in 1947 to return to Montana. Hungry Horse became home during and following construction of Hungry Horse Dam. Stewart’s Restaurant was the next venture, where outstanding food was a hallmark then and throughout her life. Two more daughters, Shelley and Cindy, were welcomed to the family while in Hungry Horse.

In 1968, Bigfork became their home. Vera enjoyed her gardens, trips in their 1924 Dodge touring car, reading and watching sports. Her true passion however, was buying, selling, collecting and restoring antiques. Her reputation for seeing a “diamond in the rough” was impressive. Vera spent at least 50 years in the antique business, traveling to shows throughout the Northwest and operating out of antique malls in the Flathead Valley. Vera welcomed all to her home throughout the years. The neighborhood friends of her children, in-laws, family and friends were always welcomed to the table whether the meal was “just a piece of roast meat” or her exceptional fried chicken. In 1989 Vera and Bruce made Kalispell their home and continued to live there until Bruce’s passing in 2013 and Vera’s in 2017.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband Bruce, daughter Karalee Koppang, and son-in-law Len Patterson.

She is survived by her son Don Stewart, wife Judy and grandsons Tyler Stewart and Chris Stewart, son-in-law Ron Koppang, granddaughters Riona Tilley and Shanin Prusia, daughter Shelley and husband Brad Borden, daughter Cindy Patterson and grandson Clayton Patterson. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will begin at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, at Vintage Pursuits, 2191 Third Avenue East in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Kalispell Salvation Army Thrift Store.