Ardeth Jean Larson Kvapil, 86
Ardeth Jean Larson Kvapil, born June 18, 1930, died June 2, 2017, in Kalispell, in the presence of her children and Kim and Mark Larson. Kim and Mark were her family support when Ardeth resided at the Libby Care Center.
She was born in Cadott, Wisconsin, to Olga and Philip “Bill” Larson. Her mother died when she was 3 years old. She was raised by her father and greatly influenced by her grandmother, Ida Larson.
Ardeth graduated from Cornell High School and worked at the hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
She married Walter Kvapil at Big Drywood Lutheran Church on June 22, 1950. Walt was a carpenter and their daughters Dianne Marie and Donna Mae were born in Chippewa Falls. In 1955, the family moved to Montana when visiting her father, who was then living in the Happy’s Inn area. The family lived in Montana logging camps spanning from Seeley-Swan to Happy’s Inn, where they lived in a small trailer for seven years. Daughter Barbara Jean was born while they were living at Happy’s Inn. Son Phil was born in Libby, where the family had moved in 1963. Ardeth then lived in Libby for the remainder of her life, making friends of neighbors and strangers alike. Her faith was very important to her and she actively taught her family her Christian values. Dianne’s daughter, Kelsi, thanked Ardeth for being such a good mother to her children, thus teaching Dianne to be a good mother.
Ardeth enjoyed painting, dancing, volunteering, and was a member of the Libby Fine Arts Club, the Sons of Norway, and the Faith Bible Church. Ardeth was known as a very kind, selfless woman. Strangers became friends, friends became family, and all her family were extremely important to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter, Donna; husband, Walter; and son-in-law, Steve Breen.
She had two brothers and two sisters who preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sister Joan Wolf, and her brother Albert Larson, both of Wisconsin; her daughters, Dianne Breen and Barb Kvapil of Tacoma, Washington; and son, Phil (Rachael) Kvapil, of Fairbanks, Alaska; and three grandchildren, Brian and Kelsi Breen and Ivan Kvapil. She is also survived by many close nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Viewing will be from 9 to 10 a.m. today, June 6, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, 525 S. Main St., in Kalispell, followed by a graveside service at 10:30 a.m. at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery, officiated by David Nelson. A memorial service and celebration of life is tentatively planned for Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2 p.m. at Faith Bible Church in Libby.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ardeth’s name may be made to Faith Bible Church in Libby, Elohim Bible camp in Troy, or a hospice of your choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family. Please visit www.jgfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family.