Jolene JoAnn Archibald, 92
Jolene “JoAnn" Archibald, 92, died Nov. 23, 2022, following a brief illness. She was a resident at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls.
JoAnn was born Aug. 7, 1930, in Radford, Virginia, to Joseph and Myrtle Montgomery. Myrtle passed away shortly following JoAnn’s birth, due to complications from childbirth. Her father remarried and with JoAnn’s stepmother (Sadie) raised a large, blended family with four brothers and sisters and three half brothers and half sisters during the Great Depression. JoAnn contracted polio at an early age with the ravages of the disease affecting her mobility throughout her life. She graduated from high school in Radford before moving to Washington, D.C. where she was employed by the Red Cross. There she met “Jack,” a World War II Navy veteran, on a blind date. The chance encounter became a lifelong partnership lasting 65 years until his passing in 2017.
Growing a family while helping Jack pursue his life’s work and passion in aviation, she moved to the Flathead Valley in 1956, working with Jack as he started a flying service at what is now Glacier Park International Airport. When Jack later began flying overseas, she began a long career with the Columbia Falls Police Department, beginning as a dispatcher in 1977 and later as chief dispatcher. Her service with the CFPD lasted nearly 30 years until her retirement in 2006 at the age of 76. JoAnn’s work as a dispatcher has long been recognized within the first responder community for her calm, effective radio skills and ability to “school” young patrolmen. A strong woman, she tackled the many challenges she faced throughout her life with determination and grit.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved spouse Jack, and all her siblings, as well as her grandson Jesse Archibald and son-in-law Steve Burgh.
JoAnn is survived by her sister-in-law Peggy Utterback of Wilmington, North Carolina, brother-in-law Kenneth Archibald and his wife Jackie Archibald of Salem, Oregon, daughter “DJ” (Donna Jo) Burgh of Woodinville, Washington, son Mike Archibald and daughter-in-law Patty Archibald of Columbia Falls, Thomas Montgomery of Radford, grandchildren Jennifer Archibald of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Christopher Burgh of Marysville, Washington, Samantha Almond of Tacoma, Washington, and Riley, “TJ” and Joey Montgomery of Radford. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and numerous extended family members on both coasts.
A service to honor JoAnn is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls with interment to follow immediately after the service at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell. All are welcome to attend and celebrate JoAnn’s life.
The family would especially like to thank the dedicated staff and caregivers of the Columbia Falls Montana Veterans Home for their compassionate and loving care.
Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is caring for the family.