Dorothy Eleanor Byrd, 89
Dorothy Eleanor Byrd, 89, of Columbia Falls, passed away Feb. 10, 2025. She was born August 1935 to the late Ole and Ella Askvig on the family farm in Carpio, North Dakota.
Dorothy was baptized and confirmed at Carpio Lutheran Church where she also sang in the choir.
She graduated from Carpio High School in 1954 and moved to Kenmare, North Dakota where she was employed in the Office of Montana Dakota Utilities.
She Married Dean L. Byrd in 1955. They raised four children in Kenmare — Bruce, Dawn, Scott and Julie. After her children were all in school, she returned to work part time in the office of Kenmare Deaconess Hospital for four years. She then worked as secretary of the treasury of the Kenmare Co-op Credit Union for two years and in 1975 she was named manager. The credit union shared office space with Esslers Farmers Union Insurance where she also worked for the insurance as secretary and bookkeeper and was licensed in auto and fire insurance. When the credit union moved to a new building, she stayed with Esslers Insurance until retiring in 1990.
After she and Dean retired, they enjoyed traveling to Arizona in the winter and to Montana to visit family. In the fall of 1992, they sold their home in Kenmare and moved to Columbia Falls to be closer to some of their family where they both enjoyed working in their yard where they planted evergreens, fruit trees, raspberries and flower beds, golfing and playing bridge. They joined Our Saviors Lutheran Church where they were active members. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and women’s bible study.
Her greatest joy was watching her grandsons and great-grandchildren grow up and enjoyed watching them in several sports.
She is survived by her children, Bruce Byrd (Dawn), Dawn Baumgartner (Arlyn), Scott Byrd (Lori), Julie Rasmusson (Kelly Vandemark); nine grandsons, Dustin Byrd (Alix), Adam Byrd (Kara), Justin Baumgartner (Jessica), Tanner Baumgartner (Kristin), Casey Baumgartner (Erin), Stephen Baumgartner (Mckenna), Brad Clark (Jess), Elliot Rasmusson (Amee) and Nicholas Rasmusson; 18 great-grandchildren, Kahlan and Kelci, Jamisen and Emersyn, Quinn and Madisyn, Emery and Elina, Blake and Chareigh, Ryker, Lola and Presley, Issac, Tony and Lexi, Kashton and Karter; sisters-in-law, Pat Askvig Thiesen, Darlene Askvig and Lois Askvig.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dean, in 2003; sisters, Fran Lee (Oliver), Della Nelson (Oliver), brothers, Ole (Norma), Jerold (Ardis), Loyd (Ora), Richard, her twin brother Donald, and Alrie.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Family and friends may begin to visit on Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, 2200 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.