Magdalyn Brosten

Belva Magdalyn Strand Brosten was born July 9, 1921 at Grenora, North Dakota to Meinert and Beulah Caldwell Strand. She passed away on Aug. 7, 2006, in Lewistown, Mont. Magdalyn lived on her father's homestead at Fortuna, North Dakota until the age of five when the family moved to the Flathead Valley. She attended Mountain Brook School for six years where her mother was the teacher. She attended Central Junior High School in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School, Class of 1938.

She married Henry Brosten October 8, 1940 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell, Montana. They lived most of their married life in the Swan River Community. She was active in community affairs, a 4-H leader for 27 years, a long time member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Sons of Norway. She was a faithful and tireless volunteer.

Her special interests were history, genealogy, quilt making and education. She wrote the book Swan River Echoes, a history of the Swan River Community and organized the Swan River School Centennial Celebration in 1993. She was also instrumental in organizing family get togethers and family reunions. She made two trips to Norway to visit family. She was proud that all five of her children are college graduates.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry, an infant son, Mark Chandler Brosten and her brother, Milfred Strand. Surviving children are Deanna Conley, Bigfork, Mt; Arne Brosten, Bigfork, MT; Henrik Brosten, Lewiston, ID; Rodrik Brosten, Bigfork, MT and Kariena Brosten, Arlington, WA. Grandchildren are Bryan Conley, Renton, WA; Della Conley, Seattle, WA; Bark Brosten, Missoula, MT; Troy Brosten, Boise, ID, and Jessie Chism, Galveston, TX. Great grandchildren are Katherine, Shane and Benjamin. A niece is Regina Houston, Bigfork, Mt. and a nephew is Terrence Strand, Kalispell, MT.

Internment will be September 1, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery and a Memorial Service will follow at 3 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, MT.

Memorials can be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911 or to an organization of the donor's choice.