Jacklyn 'Jackie' B. May, 88
Jacklyn “Jackie” B. May, 88, of Lewistown, passed away early Saturday morning, Oct. 2, 2021, in the Villa in Lewistown of natural causes with her daughters by her side.
She was born Aug. 28, 1933, in Malta, the daughter of Bernhard and Hannah (Anderson) Peterson. The family moved to Kalispell and she received her education there, graduating from Flathead County High School in 1951. She married her high school sweetheart Robert “Bob” May on June 8, 1952, in Bigfork. They had two daughters and spent 69 years together prior to his death in July of 2021.
Jackie was a wife and mother first but also worked part-time in retail most of her life, first at Montgomery Ward and later at the Equity Supply Company, working with and serving lifetime friends in the Flathead area for many years and eventually retiring in her 60s.
She always had a vegetable garden, raised beautiful flowers and especially enjoyed decorating for the holidays. She was an outdoor girl which fit perfectly with a marriage spent camping with the Thompsons, Hartsochs and Petersons in the early years, later with friends from the Lazy Eight and Shakey Six or some variation of that! When it wasn’t camping weather, Bob and Jackie would go hunting for firewood or just for a drive. She had wonderful times picking huckleberries on a warm, late summer day on the side of a mountain and then finding new recipes for them. Best of all, Jackie enjoyed all of the little children in her life, especially her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to buy little presents and Beanie Babies and have a bowl of candy for any kids who came to visit.
She is survived by her daughters Gail Ohnstad of Winter Springs, Florida, and Reta (Steven) Knox of Winifred, Montana; six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Bernice, Helen, George, Ben and Clayton, granddaughter Monica, and great-granddaughter Sarah.
No services will be held at this time for Jackie May. A joint committal will be held for Jackie and Bob next year in Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. Cremation has taken place with the Cloyd Funeral Home in Lewistown assisting the family.
Friends are asked to make memorials to Hospice of Central Montana, or to the charity of their choice and they may be left with the Cloyd Funeral Home.
Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.