Grace Weaver

Grace Weaver, 73, passed away, after a nine-year battle with breast cancer, on Oct. 5, 2007, at her home in Kalispell, surrounded by her family.

Grace was born July 22, 1934, in Devil's Lake, N.D., to Walter and Ella Palmer.

She grew up in Minnewaukan, N.D., and graduated from Minnewaukan High School in 1952.

She attended Concordia College in Moorehead, Minn., and received a two-year teaching certificate. She loved teaching and spent three years as a first-grade teacher in Plentywood before returning to the University of North Dakota to receive her four-year degree.

In 1959, she met Art Weaver while attending the University of North Dakota. They were married on June 12, 1960. Grace and Art lived in Lisbon and Fargo, N.D., where Grace continued her teaching career.

In 1963, she made the decision to become a full-time homemaker and mom. From 1966 to 1985, the family lived in Jamestown, N.D., Huron, S.D., and Great Falls, before moving to Kalispell in 1985.

Grace enjoyed sharing her spirit and talents with others. She was a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Flathead County for more than 11 years, a volunteer teacher for Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County, and was actively involved with every church in which she was a member, most recently Bethlehem Lutheran.

She loved meeting new people, traveling, dancing, watching Seattle Mariners baseball, shopping and keeping in touch with her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Francis and Mayo Palmer.

Grace is survived by her best friend and husband of 47 years, Art Weaver, of Kalispell; daughters Elizabeth Smith and husband Adam, of Yakima, Wash., Jane Lally and husband Tim, of Whitefish, and Sara Ogborn and husband Dan, of Seattle; grandchildren Garrett and Hannah Lally, of Whitefish; and brothers Wesley Palmer, of Reno, Nev., and Douglas Palmer, of Great Falls.

Memorial services will be held Friday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Lunch will be served following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 137 Main Street, Kalispell MT 59901; or to the Literacy Volunteers of Flathead County, P.O. Box 3234, Kalispell MT 59903.