Marilyn Hadford (Solberg), 89

Marilyn Fay Hadford passed away Jan. 19, 2021, at her home, under the loving care of her son and granddaughter.

Marilyn was born on Aug. 4, 1931, in Havre to Arnold and Phyllis Hadford, children of Scandinavian immigrants. After graduating high school in Great Falls she married Orville Solberg on May 20, 1950, her husband of 43 years.

Marilyn loved animals and children and enthusiastically assumed an active role in the activities her four children pursued, either as a club leader or as a chauffeur. Her love of gardening and the outdoors encompassed a wide variety of “companions and pets” including turkeys, cows, and ducks in addition to the many family cats and dogs, each of whom she treasured. Then as the years passed, she lovingly assumed an active role in her grandchildren’s upbringing and care by having them with her over the summers and for other extended periods of time. Her generosity and giving nature seemed to know no bounds.

Marilyn’s talents and interests were rich and varied. What she did not know, she taught herself. Her early years included raising three children (two in diapers) in a logging camp with an outdoor toilet and a camp shared washing machine to do the weekly laundry. She and Orville built their first home in Evergreen with the help of her father-in-law. Together they built a second home in Missoula and lived there until they moved to the East Shore of Flathead Lake in 1966 where she drew the architectural design for the remodel of their new family home. She also taught herself bookkeeping and managed the complex business of Solberg Trucking she and Orville started in the late 1960s, growing it to around 25 semi-trucks.

With a talent and lifelong passion for sewing, she outfitted her kids (and later grandkids) with an incredible wardrobe each school year. This became an annual and much-anticipated event for her family. Throughout the years, she sewed and gifted her unique and exquisite creations to her grown children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. Among the many items she designed and sewed were waterproof coats, stretchy ski suits, luggage bags and down comforters. She also enjoyed designing and sewing detailed doll clothes and accessories. Her collection of Barbie dolls was legendary.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents (Arnold and Phyllis Hadford), brothers Ron and David Hadford, ex-husband Orville Solberg and youngest son, Wesley Solberg.

Marilyn is survived by her brother Wendell Hadford; children Glena (Craig Kosovich) Solberg-Kosovich, Darlene (Steve) Nardi, Chris Solberg; grandchildren Erin (Erin Joy) Kelley, Camden (Kira) Kelley, Chandra (Cody) Misseldine, Jonathan Solberg; great-grandchildren Ethan, Emma, Anna, Jensen Kelley, and Addisonmerie, Gunnarr, Alizabethleann Solberg.

During Marilyn’s final years suffering from dementia, she was lovingly cared for by her live-in son Chris, her granddaughter Chandra, and her close friend Joy Cloniger and her daughters.

A private family burial will take place at Lone Pine Cemetery in Bigfork. No memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service is scheduled. Friends are encouraged to visit the website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.