Joyce Ellen Hollopeter, 78

Joyce Ellen Hollopeter, 78, of Kalispell, peacefully passed away on May 2, 2018, surrounded by her family.

Joyce was born in Kalispell on Nov. 9, 1939, to Martin and Francis (Collins) Nichols. She graduated from Bigfork High School in 1957 and married Jim Hollopeter on Sept. 12, 1959. Joyce and her sister Elaine were born on the same day two years apart, “and went to be with the Lord within a week of each other.”

Mom was a social butterfly that loved to visit, cook, and most of all decorate for Christmas. Although she will be missed, we all know we will see her again in heaven.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather Irven Kinyon, and sisters Janet Nichols and Elaine Hopkins.

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Jim Hollopeter; her children, Milton (Jenny) Hollopeter, Shawn (Kari) Hollopeter, Leslie (Tom) Galassi, and Lisa (Ron) Klempel; brothers, Bob (Carla) Nichols, and Clare (Judy) Kinyon; sister, Linda (Steve) Thompson, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Pastor Ron Pierce and Pastor Ken Ainsworth and the first floor of Kalispell Regional Healthcare and the respiratory therapy for all their loving care and all her friends that came to visit her.

A memorial service will be held later this summer.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.