Peggy M. Crail Byrne, 94

Peggy M. Crail Byrne, 94, passed away on Jan. 3, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Skilled Care Center in Kalispell where she has resided and received loving care for more than four years.

She was born in Great Falls on March 15, 1923, to Lloyd T. and Bertha M. Murray Crail. The family moved to the Flathead Valley in 1930, where she went to school in Kalispell and Columbia Falls. Peggy then met and married Loyal E. Brooks on May 29, 1940. They were later divorced. In coming years she worked for Kalispell Floral, Kalispell Gardens and Flowers by Hanson. She loved working with flowers. Later she worked at Sykes grocery store and the Kalispell Hotel. She then went to work for Gene’s Drive Inn where she met and later married Robert J. “Bob” Byrne on Aug. 21, 1948, in Kalispell. During their marriage they raised chickens and sold eggs, and raised Shetland ponies. In November 1968 they moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where they owned and operated the Capri Motel for 18 years until they sold it and retired. Bob passed away on Aug. 21, 1997, their 49th wedding anniversary. In the spring of 1998 Peggy returned to Kalispell to be closer to family.

She spent much of her time quilting, which she loved to do, and she made many beautiful quilts. She liked to do jigsaw puzzles and word puzzles. She spent lots of time with her children and grandchildren. Peggy and her sister and two brothers got together and played dominoes almost every week.

Peggy was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Bob, her sister Ruth Broeder, her brothers Timothy and Ted Crail, her two sons-in-law Clifford O. Wilkins and Robert A. Rehus, and granddaughter Renee Garrett Rogers.

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Donn and Helen Crail in California; her children, daughter Jerry Davisson of Kalispell, daughter Carol Wilkins of Coram, son and daughter-in-law Richard and Cheryl Garrett of Helena, daughter and son-in-law Noreen and Michael Fraleigh of Columbia Falls, and Colleen Fisher of Kalispell; 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 8 at Fairview Cemetery.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Peggy’s family.