Esther Anna (Swallow) Coverdell, 103
Esther Anna (Swallow) Coverdell was born Jan. 5, 1916, at Dumont, Iowa, and went to her eternal rest July 2, 2019. She came to the Flathead Valley in 1931 from Corvallis, Montana, where she had attended school. She married the love of her life Forrest Coverdell Oct.18, 1934, at Echo Lake. They had two daughters Beverly and Shirley. She spent her last few years in Big Timber.
Esther did many things during her 103 years. She and Forrest worked together farming in the Flathead Valley and preparing their produce for market in local stores. In her spare time, she made custom Christmas wreaths that were sold locally. She also made delicious pies for a local restaurant. She was always an avid gardener. It was said she could grow beautiful flowers anywhere there was a patch of soil, even in a crack in a concrete slab. She did beautiful needlework and quilting. She made crocheted kitchen towels by the dozens. When she and Forrest were wintering in Arizona she learned to make pine needle basketry and became a master artisan at this. She loved discussing politics. Swear words never crossed her lips, but she probably came closest to swearing when discussing some of her least favorite politicians. Esther would drive or ride several miles to get her favorite lunch, a McDonald’s “Happy Meal.”
She was preceded in death by her parents James and Anna Swallow, her husband Forrest Coverdell, daughter Beverly Josephson, seven brothers, Paul, James, John, Ezra, Aaron, Mark and Steven Swallow, and one sister Martha Little.
She is survived by one daughter Shirley Seanor and son-in-law George Seanor of Soldotna, Alaska; former son-in-law Dick Josephson, of Big Timber; one sister, Naomi Harris, of Dallas, Oregon; and one brother, Amos Swallow of Willits, California. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Mark Josephson and wife Bonnie of Big Timber, Joe Josephson of Bozeman, Jon Josephson and Terri Arnold of Aliso Viejo, California, and Lorri Maiorano and husband JT of Orlando, Florida. She is also survived by other descendants too numerous to mention.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. July 20 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. If the weather is inclement, services will be held at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell.
Friends and family will gather for refreshments and conversation at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell immediately following the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in Esther Coverdell’s name.
Arrangements are under the care of Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory.