JimmeSue Role, 74

JimmeSue, 74, of Columbia Falls, passed away Dec. 27, 2017, surrounded by her family.

JimmeSue was born April 14, 1943, in Tacoma, Washington, to James and Gertrude Connole. She was an only child that grew up on the family farm in Conrad, Montana. After her father purchased a Chinese laundromat in Columbia Falls, he renovated it and established the Columbia Bar. They would then share their time between Conrad and Columbia Falls.

While attending school in Columbia Falls, she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Role. They would later marry in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Aug. 22, 1964. They would add to their family with three children, Mark, Pam and Bill.

JimmeSue was the first secretary to work for the Kalispell Orthopedic Clinic. She then took a job with Kalispell Regional Medical Center billing office, where she worked for many years and would later retire.

JimmeSue’s greatest joy was her family. She loved watching all of them participate in their sporting events. She was their biggest cheerleader and their loudest fan. She thought they were all perfect and would tell them continuously. She was a die-hard Cleveland Brown’s fan and took every bit of grief from this with big shoulders. She loved her shopping excursions with her family. It would give her complete joy to buy something for them and make them smile. She disliked all green vegetables. She had the best sense of humor and had sass for miles.

JimmeSue was preceded in death by her parents, James and Gertrude Connole, and her husband Richard “Dick” Role.

JimmeSue is survived by her children, Mark (Kim) Role, Pam (LaVern) Burns and Bill Role. She is survived by 11 grandchildren who often referred to her as “Granny Goose,” “Grams” or “Grammy,” Taylor, Hunter, Teagan, Tianna, Kyler, Garrett, Kortney, James “Mo,” Avery, Jacobi and Christopher; and one great-grandson, Zayne. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, her best friend since grade school, Donna Larson, and all the Role family, whom she considered her own.

JimmeSue has been cremated and a celebration of life will take place in the summer.

The family of JimmeSue would like to say a special “Thank You” to the staff in the ICU at KRMC, Dr. Tobin Hoppes and Dr. Charles Woodward. Your compassion during these difficult times was greatly appreciated.

Fifteen and a half years ago, some person lost their life and was generous enough to be an organ donor, in which our mother was the recipient of a kidney. Our family is asking, in memory of our mother, that you become an organ donor or donate blood, which in turn, could give someone else a second chance at life.