Hertha Moore
Hertha Ann Moore was called peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Sept. 16, 2004, at the age of 87.
She was born in New Salem, N.D., on Oct. 27, 1916, and received her education in a small rural school near the family farm.
Even though she grew up during the Depression, Hertha never felt poor. The family worked hard and the farm provided the necessities to get by and they remained rich in their spirit and faith and found enjoyment spending time together. Hertha learned strong work
ethics and the values of "family" and respect for others. Hertha's "claim to fame" was being related to Lawrence Welk, which left her with many fond memories of attending dances as a young adult when he was performing in North Dakota with his first three-piece band.
Hertha and Bill were married in Yakima, Wash., in 1938. In 1945, after working for the Bureau of Reclamation on Grand Coulee Dam, Bill was transferred to the Hungry Horse Dam project in Northwest Montana. With their two young children, Barry and Lynda Kay, they moved to the Flathead Valley in Montana, fell in love with the beauty of the country and the friendliness of the people, eventually purchased five acres of land and built their dream home just seven miles out of the west entrance to Glacier National Park. They enjoyed sharing their home and the beauty of what they referred to as "God's Country" with family, friends and strangers alike.
They were active members of the Canyon Community Church in Coram for many years. Hertha taught Sunday school and was involved in many facets of the women's ministries. During Bill's retirement years, the couple took time to enjoy several senior bus tour trips from Alaska to Mexico. Hertha remained at her Montana home until four years after Bill died, when in 1988 she moved to Renton, Wash., to be close to her daughter and family. She became a member of Highlands Community Church and was actively involved with the JOY (Just Older Youth) group and 60s Plus.
Hertha was a beautiful woman and gave of herself lovingly to her husband, family, friends and strangers. As much as Hertha loved her family, she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even more. She kept the faith of her youth and remained a faithful servant of her Lord until the day she died. Hertha set an example by her life. She loved unconditionally and was devoted to doing the Lord's work. Even in the last days of her life, in a weakened state, she reached out to comfort those who were in need of encouragement. Hertha Moore will be remembered for the loving Christ-like spirit she possessed. We love you, Hertha, and will miss you, but we know you are in a better place now and we look forward to being reunited with you one day.
Hertha was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Frieda (Knirck) Kunkel; her husband of 46 years and the love of her life, William B. (Bill) Moore; daughter-in-law Linda Moore; two sisters, Margaret Schwinkendorf and Delores Kunkel; and two brothers, Rudolph and Lorenz Kunkel.
Surviving her are her son, Barry Moore, of Billings; her daughter and "favorite son-in-law", Lynda Kay and Don Hurter, of Renton, Wash.; grandchildren and great grandchildren Scott (Diana) Kelsey and Andrew Hurter, Steven (Debbie) Hurter and Michael (Donna) Joshua and Jacob Hurter, Kymm, Kieanie and Kyah Moore, and Kaycee Gillespie; sisters Bernice Luoma, of Minnesota, and Rosemary Kunkel, of Idaho; brother Archie (Marilyn) Kunkel, of Wisconsin; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004, at Canyon Community Church at 11 a.m. with a reception and luncheon to follow. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.