Norma Mae Walton

Norma Mae Walton, 82 went to be with the Lord and beloved husband, Benny on Nov. 26, 2006.

Norma was born Feb. 6, 1924 in Stoneham, Colo. to John and Ogle Hanson. She grew up with four brothers and two sisters. At the age of 12 she moved to Bigfork with her family and graduated from Bigfork High School, class of 1941.

It was in high school she met the love of her life, Benny Walton. They were married on March 27, 1943 in Tacoma, Wash. At the time of Benny's death, they would have been married 60 years. Benny was drafted into the U.S. Navy one month after they were married. Norma worked at the torpedo plant in Bremerton during the war. When Benny was discharged, they moved back to Bigfork.

Norma enjoyed gardening and was a fantastic cook. She enjoyed Bible Study and her circle group.

She was also a member of the Queen League bowling group.

She was involved in her children's lives being a den mother, room mother, Brownie leader and following her children in whatever activity they were involved with.

When grandchildren arrived, she followed them in their sports.

She was a devoted and loving daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Her faith and love of the Lord saw her through many trying times.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ogle; four brothers, Lee, Ing, Harold, Art; sister Mildred; grandson Brad and granddaughter Dena.

Norma is survived by her sister, Jean Day and husband Howard of Bigfork; son, Dennis and his wife Debbie of Kalispell; and daughter Darla and her husband Gerry of Kalispell and son Jeff of Beaverton, Ore.; granddaughter Tana Smithson of Spokane; grandsons Tyson Hall of Newport Beach, Calif., Tanner Hall of Park City, Utah, Dustin Bower of Kalispell and Tyler Walton.

Norma's great-grandchildren are Julio, Marcelo, Diego Morales of Spokane, Zakary Walton of Puyallup, Wash., Cyndee and Baillee Bowers of Kalispell.

Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.

Services will be held Friday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. Gospel Light Baptist Church with Paster Dave Sprunger officiating. Burial will take place at Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Buffalo Hill Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York, 10018.

Alfred II. Piva

Alfred II. Piva, 78, passed away Sunday Nov. 19, 2006 in Kalispell.

Alfred was born March 24, 1928 in Oshkosh, Neb., to Paul and Mary Piva. He graduated from Garden County High School and entered the United States Air Force in 1950.

He was honorably discharged in 1954. Alfred farmed in Oshkosh before moving to Montana. Once living here he was employed at Plum Creek for 26 years. During that time he operated a forklift, graded lumber and was a supervisor.

He was involved in the Coram Volunteer Fire Department and acted as treasurer there.

He was a Boy Scout leader in Martin City for a number of years. He had hiked the Great Northern several times with his scout troop.

Alfred was also a life member of the VFW.

He loved fishing, camping and hiking. He married Vi Ahrens in Cheyenne, Wyo., on Oct. 5, 1962.

They had 42 wonderful years together.

Alfred is survived by his wife Vi Piva of Coram, son Chuck Ahrens of Littleton, Colo.; brothers Chuck Piva and his wife Ruth of Chapel, Neb.; and John Piva of Oshkosh, Neb.; grandson Michael Ahrens; great-grandchildren Nicolle and Jason Ahrens, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Services and interment for Alfred will be held at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo., at a later date.